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2 News maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2013 Waste management plan highlights need for new landfill Mizzi asks f Judge to inv Information submitted to Ministry for the Energy cast doubts on quality of fuel oil being used While revealing that the current lifespan of the Ghallis landfill (pictured) is limited to five years, Leo Brincat (inset) explained that the new landfill was a "realistic" project JAMES J. PISCOPO THE identification of a new landfill is among the main goals set by the draft waste management plan, covering the 2013-20 period, environment minister Leo Brincat said yesterday. Speaking during the launch of the consultation document entitled 'Waste Management Plan for the Maltese Islands: A Resource Man- agement Approach 2013 – 2020', Brincat revealed that the current lifespan at the Ghallis landfill does not exceed five years and that a new landfill needs to be identified as soon as possible. Brincat explained that the new landfill was a "realistic" project, especially since no concrete studies on the exportation of waste or thermal treatment were carried out by the government's waste agency WasteServ or the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. The new landfill, which has yet to be identified, should have a lifespan of 25 years and have the capacity to receive reject waste from the Sant Antnin Recyling Plant and other plants. Brincat added that the plan highlighted two other major priorities; increasing the efficiency and capacity at the Sant Antnin plan in Marsascala and the implementation of the waste minimisation programme. CONFIDENTIAL information submitted to the government casts doubts on the quality of oil which is being used at the Delimara and Marsa power stations. According to a press statement issued by the Ministry for the Energy, the information was submitted to Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi. After consulting Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Mizzi ordered an investigation. The independent investigation will be led by Judge Emeritus Philip Sciberras. This development comes as information revealed through the Public Accounts Committee showed that, in the recent past, fuel oil purchased by Enemalta Corporation did not match the specifications as set out by the tender conditions. Former Judge Philip Sciberras has been asked to investigate Spinola project set JAMES DEBONO THE Planning Directorate is recommending the approval of massive residential and commercial development proposed by architect Ray Demicoli, which is set to replace an open space between the church and the St Julian's government school. A tree survey of the area shows that the project will result in the uprooting of six carob trees, five olive trees and 12 almond trees, apart from a number of acacia trees and prickly pear trees. One of the proposed permit conditions is that the uprooted trees are to be replaced by 75 indigenous trees in another location. Flimkien Ghall Ambjent Ahjar has objected to the development, describing the area as a "pristine urban woodland" and one of the few lungs of the area. With 12 residential apartments already approved near Villa Friere and an elderly home being proposed by the local council on the stretch of land between the government school and regional road, the entire area is set to become heavily urbanised. The development will also alter the setting of the Spinola church, creating a stretch of buildings between it and the nearby primary school. The new development will see the erection of multi-storey public car park catering for 424 cars, a 2,130 square metre supermarket, a fitness centre, 1,245 square metres of retail outlets, a coffee shop and 22 residential units. The car park had already been proposed in the local plan approved in 2006, which did not foresee any residential or commercial development in the area. Conceptual photomontage of the proposed development. Highlighted: the allowable line of development of the neighbouring party wall But in February 2013, the previous MEPA board paved the way for the approval of the project by amending the local plan to allow residential and commercial development to accompany the proposed car park. But the case officer reveals that MEPA's own Environmental Protection Directorate had expressed strong reservations on the proposed development, which it deemed to be a "replacement of an open space which includes natural features with a high density building within this highly developed area" which would result in "an increase of traffic congestion and related air quality concerns". The EPD had also recommended that application should not be dealt as a stand alone application but within the context of a holistic plan for

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