Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/870005
2 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 2017 News Valley rehabilitation committee collects 70 cubic metres of waste in its first days YANNICK PACE THE committee set up by the Environment Ministry to oversee the cleansing and rehabilitation of Malta's val- leys has collected 70 cubic metres of waste in its first week of operation, equiva- lent to "seven trucks and four large skips-worth", accord- ing to a ministry spokesman. Last month, the ministry announced that it would be setting up an inter-ministe- rial committee to oversee the "cleaning and rehabilitation" of several valleys across the island, with the first phase of the initiative focusing on Wied is-Sewda in H'Attard, and a part of Wied ic-Cawsli in Qormi. The spokesman said the valleys were selected on the basis of the amount of rub- bish that had accumulated in them, as well as the extent to which the rubbish was ob- structing water ways, adding that in some cases this was resulting in f looding into farmers' fields nearby. The committee is composed of representatives from the government's waste manage- ment company WasteServ, the Cleansing Department, PARKS, responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of public spaces, and the Val- ley Management Unit, in conjunction with the respec- tive local councils. It is being headed by Herman Grech from PARKS. The committee's brief, in addition to cleansing valleys considered to be a priority, would also be for the regular maintenance of valleys. "The idea is for the govern- ment to be able to collect rubbish from these valleys and ensure that they remain clean once it happens," said the spokesman, who pointed out that the initiative was not simply an "ad hoc exercise". He said it would be taking a structured approach and would be prioritising valleys that were in need of "imme- diate attention". The com- mittee would also be moni- toring valleys and ensuring they are well maintained, the spokesman said. In this regard, the minis- try was asking for the pub- lic's cooperation in keeping valleys as clean as possible and to put an end to illegal dumping in the country's valleys. Moreover, the ministry said it aimed to have com- pleted the cleaning of Wied ic-Cawsli, Wied Baqqiegha in Haz-Zebbug and Wied Qirda also in Haz-Zebbug by the end of November, with the intention of comple- menting the ministry's af- forestation project, that aims to have planted some 8,000 trees by the end of 2017. Petrol station and cafeteria proposed on agricultural land JAMES DEBONO THE Halmann Vell- six Group owned by Nazzareno Vella is earmarking agricul- tural land along Triq Sir Temi Zammit between Mosta and Mgarr for the development of a petrol station. The site, located opposite the Valle Verde farm outlet and a short distance from a quarry on the same side of the road, is be- ing earmarked for the develop- ment of a huge fuel station, auto parts shop, car wash and cafete- ria over a 6,793m2 site. The proposed cafeteria will include a kitchen and a dining area. The application does not fore- see the relocation of an exist- ing petrol station and is located outside the development zone. The approved policy on petrol stations only allows new petrol stations within, opposite or ad- jacent to designated industrial areas and Areas of Contain- ment. In this case the petrol sta- tion is located opposite a land location designated for the con- struction of "hydroponic sys- tems for the growing of plants" and "pesticide stores". A previous application pre- sented by Vella to develop a pet- rol station on the same site was refused in 2009. Prince Charles to visit Malta for the 75th anniversary of the George Cross The Prince of Wales will be visiting Malta to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the award of the George Cross to Malta AMY MICALLEF DECESARE THE Prince of Wales, who is also the president of the Vic- toria Cross and the George Cross Association will be vis- iting Malta on October 4 to mark the 75th anniversary of the award of the George Cross to Malta. King George VI awarded Malta the George Cross on April 15, 1942 as a symbol of the bravery, heroism and devotion, which the Maltese demonstrated during its siege by the Axis powers in the Sec- ond World War. The George Cross is carried on the Mal- tese national f lag as a symbol of its peoples' bravery during the conf lict. The George Cross (GC) is the second highest award of the United Kingdom honours system. It was first introduced on September 24, 1940 by George VI and is the civil- ian equivalent of the Victoria Cross. A total of 408 have been awarded, including two awarded collectively – Mal- ta's, and the Royal Ulster Con- stabulary's, in 1999. On October 5, the Prince of Wales will deliver the keynote speech at the 'Our Ocean' con- ference in St Julians. Prince Charles, who has been a long- time champion for the health and resilience of the ocean, made his first speech on the environment in December 1968 and has long warned the public of the irreversible ef- fects of climate change. The 'Our Ocean' confer- ence series was initiated by the US Department of State, spearheaded by former US Secretary of State John Kerry. The first conference was held in Washington DC in June 2014, then in Chile in 2015 and Washington DC again, in 2016. The European Un- ion will host the fourth 'Our Ocean' conference in Malta on October 5 and 6, 2017. The conference aims to inspire and empower a new genera- tion of leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists and civil society to identify solutions and com- mit to actions for safe, secure, clean and sustainably man- aged oceans. Prince Charles will under- take a series of other engage- ments, including a visit to St Paul's Anglican Pro-Cathe- dral in Valletta to view the restoration work there. Built in 1844, at the instigation of Queen Adelaide, the cathe- dral is an integral part of the Valletta skyline and has re- cently launched a €3 million restoration campaign. The Duke of Edinburgh is First Friend of the Friends of St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral.