Ariadne Massa
Gonzi in listening mode on Mepa reform
The Prime Minister has embarked on the "long, complicated" reform process of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and is this week meeting six organisations to hear their views.
"This process is fundamental because it is intimately linked to sustainable development," Lawrence Gonzi said.
"Pushing a strategy to freeze development is not right, yet it's also wrong to expect to develop areas that are precious to the island's heritage and quality of life. It's important to strike the right balance and I'm convinced we'll get there," he stressed.
Mepa's reform was intended to lead towards greater transparency, consistent and efficient decisions and improved enforcement.
"I have made my position clear that as a policy we need to move towards a principle where there is no development in outside development zones except in exceptional cases such as agricultural projects, for example," Dr Gonzi said.
The first meeting kicked off yesterday evening with the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU, which presented a position paper containing its members' feedback and proposed solutions.
GRTU director general Vince Farrugia said a survey had been carried out among its members - especially developers, who number over 250 - and the major issues that emerged was the problem of unidentified roles within Mepa and "mini empires" within the same organisation.
To succeed in shedding its present image, Mepa had to take on a real management approach through improved structures, a full-time Development Control Commission board and more professionals involved in the decision-making process, among others.
Dr Gonzi will tomorrow be meeting the Chamber of Architects, the Malta Chamber of Planners, Mepa's Users Committee, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Nature Trust and Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar.
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Mark Grima
Jul 30th 2008, 16:14
I don't think any fair-minded person can question Lawrence Gonzi's integrity on a personal level. However, it may well be fair to level accusations of naivete, or at least a tendency for wish-thinking, against him. It seems that he does not believe, or refuses to believe, that the financing of the local political party system by the construction industry has any effect on the decision-making process at MEPA. Until he faces up to this reality, his reforms will fall well short of what is required. The MEPA malaise has its origins in the financial accounts of the PN and MLP commercial operations. That’s where the reforms should begin.
effie carbonaro
Jul 30th 2008, 15:27
lets hope that from listening mode he dosnt go to hold mode
DVella
Jul 30th 2008, 15:02
One thing's for sure . . . however long this reform charade is going to take . . . I seriously hope Government is not so insane as to even consider the 'reforms' proposed by MEPA itself!!!
It is common knowledge and undeniable fact that something at MEPA is rotten to the core, MEPA is a seriously sick organisation which requires some urgent surgical intervention and medication (possibly even amputation!).
Since when does a seriously ill patient (MEPA) diagnose his own sickness, prescribe his own medicine (reform) and operate upon himself??? The very idea is totally absurd! MEPA should just be quiet and take what is coming to it!
Michelle Bonnici
Jul 30th 2008, 14:47
Prime Minister, does 'greater transparency, consistent and efficient decisions and improved enforcement' apply to santa maria estate, mellieha?? in particular triq in-nixxiegha??
please refer to emails that I have sent you. A reply would be appreciated.
apgrech
Jul 30th 2008, 13:35
Simon, 5 years? Are you crazy? This is Malta. Make that 10 years or never.
Gonzi is very good in listening. He wish he'll improve on his "doing".
Simon Alden
Jul 30th 2008, 12:32
It is positive that progress is being made towards reforming MEPA. In my humble opinion, there should also be a strong focus on preserving not only the countryside but also the character of our towns and villages. The past years have seen the creation in Malta of a sector that basically "feeds" on old houses and replaces them with (ugly) apartments. Its a money making machine that to date has worked rather well, resulting in lots of people earning a lot of money. Many of them agree that what they are doing is crazy -but blame the government for not stopping them. If they dont develop that old house, someone else will, so why not be the one to knock it down and earn a quick buck? That's how they reason. If Malta is going to survive this construction madness the brakes have to be put on the industry and certainly it should not be allowed to grow further. The more people whose livelihoods depend on it the more development we're going to see. The end result being a Malta devoid of character full of empty apartments, a monument to greed, corruption and lack of regulation.
emanuel bajada
Jul 30th 2008, 11:21
@ Daley
Can I join your chorus...Ha Ha Ha Ha.......What is next another regulation like AL295 /2007 that promised to be the final solution to stop nuisances by the construction industry to neighbours? If you want to see the effect of this come to Triq it-Torri and Triq il-Kantra Xlendiwhere a major project is in progress(falling under Tip A) and where all works are going on according to these regulations to the letter. Only that the street is not washed at the end of the day, only that bricks/stones are cut in the open, only that the hoarding is not the height of the building, only that excavation is done even though a touristic are, only that the security gate is there but only anyone with less than driving a truck pass through the gap between the wall and the gate and so on and on and on....Ha ha ha ha ha By the way the enforcemnet telephone number for those interested is 20699595 only that you would have wasted a telephone call at least where gozo is concerned.
simon camilleri
Jul 30th 2008, 10:55
does 'long and complicated' mean that it will take roughly 5 years to put into effect I wonder? How many ruinous projects will be pushed through in the meantime?
Amanda Mallia
Jul 30th 2008, 10:23
Food for thought:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080730/letters/just-a-sitting-but-no-hearing
and, of course:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080724/local/asds
Amanda Mallia
Jul 30th 2008, 10:15
And about time too.
Maybe an indepth investigation into the reason why the six houses on the proposed Milner Street / Howard Street development were removed from the Urban Conservation Area (despite having been in the original plans) would be a fitting start.
Refer to PA 01218/ 06 (where permit was refused because of UCA and recommendations by the HAC in December 2006), whilst a 2nd permit (PA06269/06) was lodged for the same site, by the same people, obviously knowing that the site was about to be removed from the UCA:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080724/local/asds
A Daley
Jul 30th 2008, 10:06
Ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaa
Haaaaaaaaaa ha ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha ha haaaaa ha ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaa ha haaaaaaaaaaaa
What's next?
A.E. Camilleri
Jul 30th 2008, 09:43
Prime Minister, please see what John Caruana Galizia has to say in today's Times of Malta. It is one problem which has to be seen to within the reform exercise, please. Thanks for progress.