Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/226023
8 News maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 11 DECEMBER 2013 Labour MP Michael Falzon (second left) is seen seated next to MEPA chairman Vince Cassar, Parliamentary Secretary Michael Farrugia, and MEPA chief executive Johan Buttigieg Labour MP claims he has no conflict over MEPA's fireworks factory policy MIRIAM DALLI A policy for new fireworks factory complexes proposes a new ad hoc government-appointed committee to vet applications before these are submitted before the MEPA board. The Malta Environment and Planning Authority yesterday issued for public consultation a policy framework for new fireworks factory complexes and for the upgrading of existing facilities. Under the new policy, new factories will be developed in outside development zones. It stipulates those areas in which fireworks factory complexes cannot be developed and areas which would be considered as "candidate sites" for environmental protection. Limitations to the height of such structures will be imposed, with the planning authority pushing to have the complexes "blend in" with the surrounding landscape. Addressing the press, policy chairman Michael Falzon said the policy was intended at filling the lacuna of a specific MEPA policy. "The drafting of the policy was driven by the fact that no policies existed which regulated the construction of new fireworks factory complexes. But it was also driven by the urge to avoid having fireworks enthusiasts going underground," he said. Falzon, who is also the legal consultant for the fireworks lobby, the Malta Pyrotechnic Association, said that a 2010 report commissioned and endorsed by the previous administration had highlighted the need for "more fireworks factory complexes". He noted that, for example in Gozo, while there were 200 registered persons as having a practitioner's licence, yet only one complex was operative. Falzon denied any conflict of interest in his role as chairman of the committee responsible of drafting the policy and his role as the lobby's legal consultant. "I have been involved in the legislative process on fireworks for the past 20 years. In that case, I should have been accused of conflict of interest during these years as well," he said. "The truth is that I gave my services to this committee voluntarily and I was not there on behalf of the pyrotechnics association, who had another member representing them." The new policy stipulates the new complexes can only be built in outside development zones (ODZ) while extending existent ones would have to undergo a rigorous new process and adhere to the new guidelines. New fireworks factory complexes cannot be located in Areas of Ecological or Scientific Importance (Levels 1 and 2), sites of Archaeological Importance (including a buffer zone and Class (A and B), Special Areas of Conservation or Special Protection Areas. While to date, there was no specific strategic policy guidance document on fireworks factory complexes, both the North West and the Gozo and Comino local plan, include references to fireworks complexes. Once this proposed policy gets approved, these local plan policies shall no longer be applicable. The policy is also recommending that prior to the submission of a development planning application to MEPA, applicants need to have their project screened by an ad hoc ministerial appointed committee to ensure that the design and operational proposals ensure a high degree of safety. "No planning proposal for a new fireworks factory will be processed by MEPA unless it has been placed under the scrutiny and certification of the said committee," the parliamentary secretary said. The aim was to ensure that technical and risk mitigation considerations would have been already addressed to the satisfaction of this committee. Farrugia said the policy was "far more stringent than what is provided for in the existing legislation". "Amongst others, it excludes the siting of such complexes within the statutory distance, from hospitals, old peoples' homes, industrial areas, reverse osmosis plants and so on," Farrugia said. For better operational and safety considerations, the policy avoids a one-size-fits-all approach by forcing each building to be designed according to the site in question. Although not part of the policy document, three annexes have been included which may assist with the site selection, design and upgrading of fireworks factory complexes in view of their direct relevance to the subject matter. These documents are the Civil Protection Department Regulations for Fireworks Factory Complexes, the Police General Conditions Regarding Fireworks Factory Complexes and Guidance on fire resistant planting. Enemalta objects to European Commissioner to launch Ghaxaq fireworks social mobility project proposal JAMES DEBONO ENEMALTA is objecting to the development of a fireworks factory in the Tal-Hbula area in Ghaxaq, due to it proximity to its 33KV overhead infrastructure, the energy corporation said in submissions on a planning application. The proposed development consists of 13 rooms, a reservoir and a number of walls covering 795 square metres of land and lies 200 metres away from the Santu Kristu Chapel and 220 metres away from the Santa Lucija Chapel. Heritage bodies have also alerted the Malta Environment and Planning Authority on the proximity of the development to a number of historical monuments. MEPA's Heritage Planning Unit expressed concern on the impact of the development on these historical landmarks in the event of an accident. In its report calling on the MEPA board to turn down the application, MEPA's planning directorate notes that MEPA was still formulating its policy on firework development. In fact, a draft policy regulating firework factories was presented yesterday. At present, firework factories located outside development zones are assessed according to the same policies and local plans applying to other developments. While noting that these developments cannot be located within development zones, the Planning Directorate deemed the proposed development as "premature". The Environmental Protection Directorate also objected to the loss of agricultural land and noted that Ghaxaq already had a fireworks factory. The Ghaxaq local council has also objected to the application. A decision on the controversial application submitted by the Tarxien based Ghaqda tan-Nar San Gabriel will be taken on 10th January. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt EUROPEAN Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion László Andor will be travelling to Malta to launch the LEAP project, an EU-funded project, tomorrow. Having described poverty as the "scourge of society", family minister Marie Louise Coleiro Preca embarked on a project that would help vulnerable individuals regain their dignity and independence through work and training. Based on social mobility, LEAP is expected to help about 900 people who are at poverty or at risk of poverty. In the second pillar of the project, at least 200 persons on social welfare will take part in a pilot project to raise their income and self-esteem. The project, coordinated by Portuguese consultant Maria Rauch, aims for the setting up of six regional social networks – five in Malta and one in Gozo – and local family resource centers. The project will bring in NGOs, deemed as "valid partners of the state in the delivery of social services". Speaking to MaltaToday, Rauch said the Malta had to build sustainable communities by reinforcing and improving the quality of services delivered to the community at community level. "At least 90 NGOs could participate in the social local and regional networks, local councils and other public institutions. In eight months, among them, they could receive at least 200 social benefit receivers," she said. Rauch said a separate 30 persons, qualified as "social mentors", would provide social mentoring. The project also serves as a platform for the setting up of the Family Resource Centres, originally pledged in the government's electoral manifesto as 'family clinics'. The centres will be set up at a regional and local level. For this purpose Malta will be divided in six regions (including Gozo). The existing ACCESS Centres i.e. one in Cottonera and one in Qawra shall be developed and adapted to serve as Social Development Centres, according to the head of department of family studies at the University of Malta, Angela Abela. The Family Resource Centres will be located at a local level in the same regions. "In the other areas with no ACCESS Centres, regional units will have to be developed. These will be developed according to the unique and particular needs of the regions and communities," Abela said. For this purpose, an expression of interest for existing entities will be launched. "By networking with the existing services and consolidating them further, this project will create a synergy across services be it health services, educational, social services or indeed services that are offered from NGOs that are based in the community," she said. The family centres will serve to give families and children the possibility of getting a prompter service in the community at the point that they really need it. "There is now a consensus by economists, develop mentalists and other professionals that early intervention gives the best returns in terms of outcomes," Abela said.