Nestor Laiviera
Mepa reform document before Cabinet shortly
Cabinet is expected to discuss a document on the long-awaited reform of the planning authority in the coming weeks.
The consultation process on the reform of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority was launched in July, two months after the election, during which the Prime Minister pledged to personally turn around the fortunes of the beleaguered authority, a move which is widely believed to have played a pivotal role in securing another victory for the Nationalist Party.
"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 had said.
Not much happened since except for the appointment of a new chairman, Austin Walker, who has so far managed to steer the authority away from controversy.
The consultation process has now ended, a spokesman for the Office of the Prime Minister confirmed, pointing out that a document with the proposed reform will be presented to Cabinet in January and published immediately after. The reform, the spokesman added, is aimed at increasing efficiency and quality of service while also improving transparency and accountability.
The reform will also attempt to eliminate "inconsistencies at the decision-making level", the spokesman said "and, above all, strengthening enforcement mechanisms".
During the consultation period, the government sought feedback from stakeholders, including environmental NGOs, representatives of architects and planners, Mepa employees, civil society and the public.
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Ray Sultana
Dec 28th 2008, 12:26
Let's hope it would not simply be an administrative reform, but one that truly improves the disastrous situation of the environment.
James A. Tyrrell
Dec 27th 2008, 21:53
F Cassar, like you I agree that Mepa reform needs to happen and I'm glad that it is going to happen but you are wrong in your assumption that this would have happened anyway. Without the likes of FAA bringing people out onto the streets in protest Mepa would not be undergoing any changes.
Mepa reform was what won the election for Gonzi last time round. You know the election I mean, the one he narrowly won by ignoring the Mistra JPO situation!
lgalea
Dec 27th 2008, 20:48
F Cassar
If it wasn't for all the protests made by the people and environmental organizations Gonzipn would never have even mentioned the MEPA reform.
Remember the Mistra scandal, the height being different according from what side you are seeing it and the vast number of scandals of permits issued in ODZs?
Any need to continue?
F Cassar
Dec 27th 2008, 17:40
@ James A Tyrrell
I agree that in most cases MEPA has proved to be a dinosaur; a classical example of red-tape..and that's why it badly needs reform...
But i beg to disagree with you when you say that had it not been for the will of the people the Prime Minister would have left MEPA as it is...It was the Prime Minister himself who said more than once that MEPA needs reform and to make sure that it happens 100% he took it under his wings....
This is not a partisn issue...both Government and people agree that MEPA needs reform and that is exactky what is going to happen..
James A. Tyrrell
Dec 27th 2008, 16:46
Charles Sammut I couldn't agree with you more. Gonzi will need to make major changes to this dinosaur for the public to have any faith in it.
M.Psaila, you say that Mepa reform would be a feather in Gonzi's cap. Why exactly? It was the people of Malta and the environmental NGO's who forced this reform. Without this Gonzi would have happily left things as they were
Charles Sammut (NY)
Dec 27th 2008, 15:21
So the people that gave you MEPA want to reform it. Is this an admission that MEPA has been out of control? As a Maltese that lives abroad but visits often I have to tell you that after seeing in front of my eyes the overdevelopment of the maltese Islands MEPA has to go completely. Stop considering applications in ODZ areas and put a moratorium on the building of more flats. Does Malta really need more flats? Aren't there enough empty ones? Wasn't the Old Fort Chambray more Impressive looking than the present monstrosity? When villages now are overlapping each other and very little country side left just conserve the little that's left and put MEPA out of its misery. That name shall go down in History as synonymous with legalised ecological rape.
m psaila
Dec 27th 2008, 14:11
@ James Galea
Yes i do and sincerely hope that he will bring you OPTIMISM even if in small doses...some people in this country are unfortunately too gloomy and pessimistic...lets call a spade a spade ... reform in MEPA in vital and if done correctly we will all benefit...
James galea
Dec 27th 2008, 13:22
@m.psaila
And tell me m.psaila DO YOU ALSO BELIEVE IN FATHER CHRISTMAS
m.psaila
Dec 27th 2008, 12:34
Before the general election Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that should PN be relected he will personally take care of the MEPA reform. The reform will soon happen and I'm sure thousands of people on this island will breath a sigh of relief.
If the MEPA reform is successful then it would surely be a feather in Dr Gonzi's cap.
lgalea
Dec 27th 2008, 11:58
J. Tonna
An excellent description.
J. Tonna
Dec 27th 2008, 11:14
During a christmas reception, I heard one asking the other what is this MEPA they mention (naturally he never had anything to do with it). The other replied it is a Mostru Enormi, Parassita u Arroganti. Let's hope that after due reform MEPA will not be like that any longer.