Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/408403
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 2014 8 News Concerned at the rapid deterioration of the environment under Labour's new planning policies for high-rise and rural development, Din l-Art Helwa's former and serving presidents send Joseph Muscat an appeal to slow down Talks with Armier squatters 'is bad news', say NGOs ENVIRONMENTAL NGOs Ramblers Association, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar and Friends of the Earth yesterday said that talks between planning parliamentary secretary Michael Falzon and rep- resentatives of the Armier squatters "was not good news." Falzon recently said that the gov- ernment has in the last months spoken to the representatives of the Armier squatters more than once and the NGOs said "this was not good news; indeed it was very bad news: while taking to court the peo- ple who stole electricity by tamper- ing with Smart meters, the govern- ment is just 'talking' to others who have been stealing electricity for many years." Noting that this constitutes maladministration of justice, the three NGOs said the authorities have made no attempt to consult the major stakeholder, the public, on this matter. "The government cannot consider either the Labour Party or the PN as truly representing the public on this issue for obvious reasons. Both parties have placed the interests of the squatters above the national in- terest, even going so far as to sign secret agreements with them on the eve of elections," they said, adding that these agreements have never been published. The only bodies which have any claim to representing the pub- lic are the NGOs and Alternattiva Demokratika, "who over the years have been highlighting the abuse consistently," the statement said. The NGOs insisted that the guid- ing principles for future action are to be based on three principles of equality, legality and sustainability. Pointing out that long-term abu- sive occupiers of public land are not to be rewarded in any way, the NGOs underlined the need to apply justice in a consistent manner in the national interest. "Tolerance of abuse has gone on far too long. Land abuse is theft and should be treated as such," the NGOs said while calling on the public and other NGOs to join their campaign against abuse and illegal possession of public land. FOR the first time in the 50 years of Din l-Art Helwa's work to protect Malta's environmental and cultural heritage, all six serving and former presidents of the association have jointly written an open letter ad- dressed to the Prime Minister, ex- pressing deep concern at the current state of the environment and the government's plans for the future. In their letter, the six presidents – judge emeritus Maurice Caruana Curran, Prof. Anthony Bonanno, Martin Scicluna, Martin Galea, Dr Petra Caruana Dingli, and Simone Mizzi – appeal to Muscat to ensure that his legacy to Malta is "not re- membered for the further and rapid degradation of the built and rural environment". They said they were concerned that the government has not drafted a solidly constructed new Strategic Plan for the Environment and De- velopment, which will serve as the precursor to a new Structure Plan, and that the plan does not have es- sential detailed policies. "Malta has been left without a proper strategy for the future gov- ernance and good administration of its built and rural environment, thus inviting continued bad management and abuse to fester," the presidents wrote. The government also intends to amend the legislation to enable the Strategic Plan to be approved by the Minister of Planning alone, without proper parliamentary scrutiny. "Given that the plan involves a change of such social, economic and environmental importance, the attempt to bypass parliament is a retrograde step which runs di- rectly counter to the commitment to transparency and accountability which this government made on tak- ing office." DLH also flagged numerous de- cisions affecting the environment which were a cause for concern. The new Rural Development Poli- cy, constituting a new direction for the countryside that is likely to lead inevitably to land speculation out- side the development zone, was ap- proved by the government without any reference to an overarching Stra- tegic Plan and without conducting a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of its impact. A new policy for high-rise build- ings in an area in Mriehel was also approved after having not been in- cluded in the public consultation phase for a new policy on high-rise development, as is required by law. Calls for expressions of interest in land reclamation projects were also published without a Marine Spatial Plan being presented, debated or ap- proved. "These numerous development plans coming together collectively without good governance of the use of land threaten Malta's last unspoilt open spaces. The island's country- side and its coast, its built heritage and with it the quality of life of its citizens and visitors will lose to eco- nomic interests. Din l-Art Helwa's six presidents, with this open letter, together appeal to the Prime Minis- ter to uphold his government's elec- toral promise to protect the environ- ment for future generations." 'Prime Minister, consider your legacy…' e LIFE BaĦAR for N2K (LIFE12 NAT/MT/000845) Projects 50% co-nanced by the EU LIFE+ Funding Programme Il-proġett LIFE BaĦAR for N2K (LIFE12 NAT/MT/000845) huwa konanzjat (50%) mill-fond LIFE+ tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Assistant Ocer (Project Management) e Malta Environment and Planning Authority is committed to ensure that land use and the protection of the environment meet the needs of today's society and future communities. e role requires a person who will be responsible for assisting in the Project Management of Life Baħar N2K Project. e person requires to have: Qualications: First Degree in an environment-related scientic discipline and / or business management or an equivalent other degree / professional qualications in same area of specialisation as recognised by MQRIC. Skills: Excellent project management, coordinating skills, and communication skills. Experience in GIS database management would be considered an asset. Experience: Knowledge of the regulatory requirements and procedures of the funding programme(s). Experience is also required in public procurement regulations and related local policies. e above post is for a denite period till 30 th June, 2017. Interested candidates are advised to submit their application quoting ETC number, together with a detailed curriculum vitae to: e Human Resources Manager Malta Environment and Planning Authority Ref: Assistant Ocer (Project Managment) ETC Permit No 176 / 2014 MPO/167/2005/21 via email on jobapplications@mepa.org.mt For further information visit our website: www.mepa.org.mt/org-current-openings-at-mepa. CLOSING DATE: Friday 14 th November 2014 CAREER OPPORTUNITY Presidents of Din l-Art Helwa, from left: Martin Galea, Prof. Anthony Bonanno, Simone Mizzi, Martin Scicluna, and Petra Caruana Dingli with a portrait of founder Judge Maurice Caruana Curran