Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/822666
maltatoday, THURSDAY, 11 MAY 2017 News 10 No compromise on safeguarding environment in AD proposals STEFAN PAUL GALEA ALTERNATTIVA Demokratika chairperson Prof. Arnold Cas- sola has presented the Green Party's proposals for the envi- ronment, listing 18 measures it said were essential to the coun- try's quality of life. "The environment surround- ing us, and how we live 24 hours a day, is vital to reach the neces- sary balance and serenity in life. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food and the ag- ricultural and sea products that we eat daily are all very impor- tant to safeguard our quality of life," Cassola said. "It is for this reason that build- ing should be carefully planned and the respect of the natural environment, together with the coastal environment surround- ing us, are of extreme impor- tance so that our population can be brought up in a healthy environment which is ben- eficial both to our physical and mental health. "Naturally, on other occasions we will tackle other aspects concerning a safe environment in those areas that concern cli- mate change, energy, transport, the Malta-Gozo tunnel, agri- culture and fisheries." AD is proposing that the com- position of both the Planning Authority and the Environ- ment and Resources Authority be determined by Parliament through its Committees after a public hearing and not directly by government. It said the environment should be given Constitutional recognition. "This should be carried out such that the duty of the state to protect biodiversity, natural resources, cultural and historical heritage, air quality, landscape, valleys, resources in both and land sea should all be constitutional duties. Con- trary to the current position the Courts should be given the authority to intervene should it be necessary to order the state to act in order to carry out its responsibilities." AD wants environmental NGOs to be given financial as- sistance by the State in order that they are in a better posi- tion to carry out their respon- sibilities. In localities where there is a large number of vacant prop- erties, projects for the devel- opment of a large number of residential units will not be considered unless the proposal is for the restoration or regen- eration of vacant or abandoned property. "In particular, consideration of development proposals for land included within the devel- opment zone as a result of the rationalisation exercise will be put on hold when the area in question is one that has not yet been schemed. "The number of vacant prop- erties in any particular locality will be introduced as a criteri- on to determine whether large scale residential projects are permissible." AD said that areas outside the development zone (ODZ) would be respected continu- ously out of conviction. "Poli- cies which in a disguised man- ner justify development ODZ will be discarded. This refers in particular to the guidelines of the Planning Authority on ru- ral development as well as the policy on petrol stations. These policies need to be overhauled and re-written in a radical de- parture from their current phi- losophy." AD deputy chairperson Car- mel Cacopardo said that more attention must be paid when selecting members of various boards in order to address ade- quately the underlying conflict of interest which is inevitably present when considering prac- tising members of the different professions. AD also said it would grant authority to Local Councils for local referenda that can impede ODZ development, provided that such development does not consist of a project of national interest approved by Parlia- ment. AD also said it would propose that the government repossess- es Manoel Island in order that it may be enjoyed by the Mal- tese people to whom it belongs. "The same level of attention will be given to Ta' Qali which area has, throughout the years developed as a centre for the recreation of Maltese families and which now, on the eve of a general election, part of it is proposed to be developed into a car-racing track. This project risks turning our children into roundabouts." AD said it opposed develop- ment of an airport in Gozo but is in favour of both a helicopter link between Gozo and the airport as well as with the provision of a fast ferry ser- vice towards Grand Harbour, Sliema and Sa Maison. "The proposed tunnel is not just unacceptable because it re- duces Gozo to the status of just another village but more so due to the enormous environmen- tal impacts during both imple- mentation and operation." On water policy, AD said that Malta was one of the world's driest countries but still lacked a national water plan. "A Plan of this nature is developed hand- in-hand with a National Agri- culture Plan as agriculture is both the largest consumer as well as the largest contaminant of our water resources. The wa- ter table (at least what's left of it) must be protected as a national resource." It also said that legislation on the Public Domain needs to be implemented urgently as soon there will be nothing left to pro- tect. "The public, either directly or through environmental NGOs should be empowered to take legal action to address the non-observance of the legisla- tion on Public Domain." On noise pollution, AD said the rights of residents should be given more effective protection from noise ema- nating from noisy activities taking place in residential ar- eas. "This does not only include construction activity but also from venues of entertainment in residential areas. Legislation regulating all sorts of noise is required and it should be en- forced immediately." AD also remains committed to enforcement action against all illegal buildings, but in particular is proposing anew the demolition of all the ille- gal boathouses at l-Aħrax tal- Mellieħa as well as those at St Thomas Bay and other zones. On hunting, while AD said it fully respect the results of the abrogative referendum on spring hunting it reaffirms that spring hunting is not sustain- able. "It is necessary that all the provisions of the Birds' Direc- tive are respected and in par- ticular that bird trapping ceases forthwith."