Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545509
6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 24 JUNE 2026 NEWS The Planning Authority has published a Partial Review of the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED) 2015 concerning an area of land at Bulebel, Żejtun, following instructions received from Government in accordance with Article 44(2) of the Development Planning Act (Cap. 552). The objective of this partial review is to exclude the identified land at Bulebel from the Industrial Development Zone and redesignating it as land Outside the Development Zone (ODZ). The review is being undertaken in recognition of the area's high agricultural, ecological and cultural value. The proposed changes seek to ensure the long-term protection of the site by removing it from the Industrial Development Zone and safeguarding it from incompatible uses and other potential adverse impacts. As part of the review process, amendments are being proposed to the current designations contained in Maps 2A and 2B of the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED) 2015. The Planning Authority encourages all interested parties to review the proposals and submit their feedback during the consultation window. More details about the consultation may be viewed on www.pa.org.mt/consultation Submissions are to be made through the official online form available at publicconsultation.gov.mt. Any clarifications are to be sent by email to: review_bulebel@pa.org.mt Submissions must reach the Authority no later than Friday 3rd July 2026 www.pa.org.mt . PLANNING AUTHOR ITY HAVE YOUR SAY OPEN PUBLIC CONSULTATION Partial Review of the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED) for Land at Bulebel. Government guarantees no rise in retirement age or social security contributions THE government has guaran- teed that there will be no in- crease in the retirement age or the rate of social security con- tributions after the public con- sultation on the Strategic Pen- sions Report for 2025 closed. The report was tabled in the House last December, and the guarantee delivers on a pledge made in the party's Electoral Manifesto. Falzon set out sever- al of the measures planned for the years ahead. "This government will keep strengthening pensions through a number of planned measures over this legislature, and this will continue from the coming Budget," Social Policy and the Family Minister Michael Falzon said. They include a €50 weekly in- crease spread across the whole legislature, an adjustment to the widows' and widowers' pension, which from next year will equal the pension the spouse would have received had they still been alive, the Cost of Living Bonus, which from next year will be the same for everyone, and an increase in the Maximum Pen- sionable Income, which by 2028 will be the same for everyone, regardless of birth date. These are only a few of the many social measures planned over the next five years, aimed not only at pensioners and the elderly but also at families, chil- dren, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable people. Falzon confirmed that the public consultation drew 14 submissions, comprising six from organisations, two from private companies, and six from individuals. He said this feedback was con- sidered by the Strategic Pen- sions Group, led by Permanent Secretary Mark Musù, which is now preparing its final rec- ommendations for the govern- ment. Those recommendations rule out any rise in the retirement age or in the Social Security contribution rate. The minister said this is pos- sible thanks to the country's strong economy and finances, noting that the last strategic report confirmed considerable improvement in both the ade- quacy and the sustainability of Malta's pension system. JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt Balluta Bay reopened to swimmers after sewage overflow BALLUTA Bay in St Julian's has been reopened for swimmers after it was closed last week fol- lowing a sewage overflow in the area, the Environmental Health Directorate announced. The directorate said the over- flow was caused by a sewer line blockage after construction waste was illegally dumped by third parties. The waste was removed immediately after the source was identified. Over the past few days, the directorate said that repeated sampling of seawater from the bathing site indicated that it is now safe for bathing. EVA BRANNON ebrannon@mediatoday.com.mt