Gonzi: MEPA policy loopholes have to be plugged
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said today that the MEPA reform should include a review of policies to plug loopholes which some people had exploited to the extent that developments went against the spirit of the policies themselves.
He told Parliament this morning that while he agreed on the need for consistency in MEPA decisions, such consistency had to be rooted in good decisions. One had to be careful that a mistake made in the past did not set a precedent which was then applied to all future cases. Consistency had to be based on cases decided on correct information.
Dr Gonzi said that one of the main aims of the MEPA reforms was to make the authority more transparent, although the organisation was already one of the most transparent and accountable and some further measures had already been taken under the chairmanship of Austin Walker.
Dr Gonzi said he gave a lot of importance to the role of the MEPA auditor, but MEPA's own internal audit role was being strengthened.
It was important that efficiency was improved. It was unacceptable that the people were kept waiting even for three years to be told a ‘yes' or ‘no' on their proposed developments.
Dr Gonzi said progress had been made in MEPA enforcement actions. Legislation in this area proposed at the last legislature had not made it through Parliament and would now be improved upon before being moved once more.
Concluding, Dr Gonzi said MEPA was an essential instrument for the future of sustainable development which respected the quality of life, especially the environment.
33 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
A Galea
Jul 2nd 2009, 13:33
@ Joe Vella: The real problem is that you are so with the head on the sand that you fail to even see what is really happening out there, let alone be capable of saying what used to happen! Keep on dreaming Mr Vella!
Mario Desira
Jun 30th 2009, 23:41
The crux of the matter is in the name MEPA.
In its name, the word ENVIORNMENT comes BEFORE Planning.
In its work, MEPA generally does the opposite.
Therefore restructure MEPA so that ENVIORNMENTALLY KNOWLEDGEABLE people have the final say and can veto and overrule anything that does not put the enviornment FIRST.
In short -the Enviornment must overrule and override any planning decisions.
In essence, it is what the people recomending or not recomending the projects usually recomend - not to go ahead.........
In this overpopulated and overbuilt island, the policy should be to tear down the rubbish and build properly a new, and not build on unbuilt land. So simple........................yet so difficult it seems. The Prime Minister's words sound very hollow................especially where the auditor's office is concerned..........
J Galea
Jun 30th 2009, 22:41
The final review of the decisions of state bodies like MEPA should take place, if given leave by the courts, by an action for judicial review by a suitably qualified judge or magistrate, otherwise known as judicial protest in Malta. Incidentally, this nomenclature of 'judicial protest' should be dropped in favour of 'judicial review', which is more in-keeping with the spirit of a modern democracy and the role of the independent courts in such a democracy. The role of the independent courts in a case like that of Bahrija was to review, upon application by those fit to apply, the case and to quash the decision only if it was wrong by the criteria established by the law. Politicians on all sides of the spectrum should embrace this solution so technical issues are decided by MEPA and legal issues by the courts. Politicians should have no role in the planning process beyond passing a morally responsible law.
Joe Vella
Jun 30th 2009, 21:41
@ Charles J . Buttigieg and all the messengers of Gloom and Doom
The problem with all these spectacular architectural marvels is that your Friends legalised them even went far as to provide them Electricity and Water.
John Schembri
Jun 30th 2009, 18:58
Fine words Prime Minister, but unfortunately just that, fine words. We have yet to see actions of yours that make a difference at MEPA, despite the direct responsibility to yourself. Don't tell us they have to be plugged. Talk to us when they are plugged, as should befit your station.
P. Schembri
Jun 30th 2009, 18:37
@J.Vella. You're past tense! We're the future!
philip pace
Jun 30th 2009, 18:12
These mistakes ofthe past have left the poor and defenseless people in total desperation as now they fully understand that justice has been screwed to favour a few!
These mistakes in the past are quite visible in each corner of these islands. The list is endless for these islands have become a concrete jungle.
Dr Gonzi, must fully acknowledge that and come up with something more credible and believable.
The more you talk the more you tumble down to the world of make belief.
No wonder the majority of Malta is not behind your party as justice ( the war cry of the 1970s and 1980s, remember!) was never rightly implemented and the victims from the past twenty years were never truly compensated instead it was the backroom blue boys and their friends who reaped the harvest.
History shall be the judge of that and it is history that has shown you that you are not credible anymore!
Joe Vella
Jun 30th 2009, 17:49
@ A. Galea
The places I mentioned are there for one and all to see, courtesy to Dom Mintoff/KMB and he gang that served with them including the Prince of the former Dockyard himself.
Edward Mallia
Jun 30th 2009, 17:28
Apparently Dr. Gonzi cannot answer a simple question: How was Robert Musumeci stopped dead in his tracks when he tried to raise dwelling heights on Transfiguration Avenue, Lija?
A clear answer to that question would do Dr. Gonzi far more good than all this waffling about closing loopholes. Or does he not realise that someone who has sold our Armier birthright for a few votes has a lot of leeway to make up, at least among the non-purblined public?
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jun 30th 2009, 17:28
@ Joe Vella
The Boat Houses at Armier, Little Armier, L'Ahrax, the Green Shacks at Ghadira. The commencement of the development along Marfa Road, the new developments in Selmun? Wake up man and smell the cappuccino, your PN has been in office since 1987?
Mr. Sant and Dr. Sant were both voted out of power and the people entrusted the PN to see Dr. Gonzi endorsing what Sant tolerated.
Adrian Borg Cardona
Jun 30th 2009, 17:15
@ Mr. Joe Vella: I am from the 'Doom and Gloom' crowd and proud of it. I would have expected things to be different under a PN Govt - but they are a great disappointment where contractors and development is concerned. Lorry Sant and the PN just do things in a different manner but the result is the same. I suppose you are happy with the disaster that is the Bahrija Valley, because Lorry Sant did worse. There's no hope for the Maltese countryside is there?
P.Cassar
Jun 30th 2009, 17:06
@J.Vella
All the sites you mentioned cropped up and flourished during NATIONALIST ADMINISTRTIONS. To add insult to injury the man who is today speaking about loopholes is the SAME PRIME MINISTER who proomised legalisation to the Armier illegalities.
Why is he telling us about loophles when he is the man being paid by you and me to correct them!!!!
A.Gauci Cunningham
Jun 30th 2009, 16:57
Joe Vella seems to love rewinding back to the past incessantly trying to frighten us of the Big, bad Labour wolf!! Sorry if I ask you Mr.Vella but why exactly did the people vote Labour and maybe in particular Karmenu and his merry man out of power in 1987?? Wasn't it because people were fed up of the legal jungle and apathy that was slowly but surely destroying our countryside and democratic balance?? Wasn't it because the people were telling the PN and Eddie Fenech Adami that they trust him to change these 'hbieb tal-hbieb" attitudes?? Didn't the people vote PN (in the smallest majority ever) in 2008 because Gonzi himself declared that there will be a clean sweep at MEPA and that "ODZ is ODZ and therefore no building will be permitted??????? So Mr.Vella I suggest you stop living in the past and realise that what you so love to shame others with is exactly what is happening today, maybe in a more subtle and media savvy way, but happening nonetheless!! I mean how else can you ever describe the Bahrija valley rape if not another shameless case of Voting Gonzi and getting Lorry!?!?
A Galea
Jun 30th 2009, 16:27
@ Joe Vella: Perhaps you should take off your blue tinted glass and start living in reality rather than dreaming
victor caruana
Jun 30th 2009, 16:22
@ joe vella
i am from the doom and gloom class while all others are living in the moon. you are right this time. only the small fry was targeted.
Joe Vella
Jun 30th 2009, 16:06
Perhaps the Gloom and Doom crowd preferred things when a certain Mr.Sant ran things.
Oh well.let see what we ended up with at least up my end; The Boat Houses at Armier,Little Armier, L'Ahrax, the Green Shacks at Ghadira. The commencement of the development along Marfa Road, the new developments in Selmun, and the list is to long to mention.
J. Borg
Jun 30th 2009, 15:14
“Dr.Gonzi said HE gave a lot of importance to the role of the MEPA auditor, but(and) MEPA’s own internal audit role was being strengthened”.
Really?
Is this not the same Dr.Gonzi, who illogically kicked out Arch.Carmel Cacopardo – MEPA’s auditor’s right hand man – and left the same MEPA auditor helpless.
And all this because Cacopardo did not play the tune dictated by the PN – but stuck to the core principles and integrity he is renowned for – fulfilling his duties towards the public’s interest rather than that of George Pullicino. If only all public officers follow his example!
And now – two years down the line – with another multitude of at highly questionable MEPA decisions – we get Dr.Gonzi making such statement. What a cheeky statement.
If you really mean what you said Dr.Gonzi, you may start by asking Cacopardo to lend again his expertise and above all his integrity and no nonsense work ethics, in the MEPA Audit Office – as had been requested by Prof. Falzon himself.
Anything short of that……we will read between the lines and confirm our opinion of what this PN government stands for!
Anthony Formosa
Jun 30th 2009, 15:07
Ohh someone just realized that we have loopholes after 20 years, anyway the good old countyside is already gone and there's little left to protect.
S.Mifsud
Jun 30th 2009, 14:55
Loopholes?
Anyone who is not affected by the rampant construction saga should consider him/herself lucky. Here's some of the "inconveniences" that many citizens are facing every day:
• Damage to own property, without any acknowledgement from the contractors.
• Huge amounts of dust generated by machines that are usually used in quarries.
• Noise from heavy machinery.
• Foul, loud language by construction workers.
• Tower cranes hovering over 3rd party buildings.
• Adhoc working hours by the contractors, including works on Public Holidays.
• An increase in electricity and water consumption due to the above.
• Bills for hiring the services of an independent architect to assess damages incurred.
And then you get some sort of a classic closing statement, such as the one quoted:
"Concluding, Dr Gonzi said MEPA was an essential instrument for the future of sustainable development which respected the quality of life, especially the environment."
What a joke!
Victor Laiviera
Jun 30th 2009, 14:37
Dr Gonzi is being disingeuous.
He knows very well that at the end of the day, despite all the recommendations, reports, arguments etc, planning decisions are taken by a vote in one the MEPA boards. They are in no way bound to follow the recommendations.
And the people who make up these boards are appointed by him at his sole discretion.
So all the much-awaited reform needs, really, is for him to appoint people who will favour the environment above the interest of the construction sector - which is clearly not the case at present.
It is as simple as that.
edwin formosa
Jun 30th 2009, 14:29
Is Joseph Muscat wrong when he insists that Dr. Gonzi has two faces?.....of course he is. But two faces do exist ;- (1) Made-in-Brussels (2) MEP
cgatt
Jun 30th 2009, 14:16
@A Attrd
"It is not "our countryside" but private property, if you want property go and buy it do not pretend that what is not yours belongs to you"
I'm sorry to say but you are wrong, very wrong. You are merely guardian of a piece of land which you have to take care of properly before passing on. With your attitude if iiowned a hstoric building of great importance, i would have every right to pull it down and build whatever piece of ugliness i like. The reality is that in a civilised society ythis is unacceptable behaviour. No amount of money gives you the right to despoil a beautiful valley. That this suggestion was mooted by the president of the PN is not surprising. That party loves to score own goals.
James Aguis
Jun 30th 2009, 14:02
So if MEPA by "mistake" grants permission to a particular permit, for example building in the middle of a natural valley, who shall pay for such a mistake? Will such permit be considered as null? This might cause another loophole possibility! MEPA should guarantee that no mistakes are taken, ensuring we have a safeguarded environment.
A.Attrd
Jun 30th 2009, 13:32
@A. Grech
It is not "our countryside" but private property, if you want property go and buy it do not pretend that what is not yours belongs to you
emanuel bajada
Jun 30th 2009, 13:20
Dear Mr. Prime Minister, what are you saying? Are you saying that because of what you are calling exploited loop hole- I call it something different- such development stays and then yours across the street have to accept being 2 storeys lower? Some more equal than others or what is good for the goose is not good for the gander, Is this what you are saying?
Mark Galea
Jun 30th 2009, 13:18
@Mepa
How about loopholes to build fireworks factories?
Joseph E Briffa
Jun 30th 2009, 13:15
Well done PM..show them that you are at the helm and that you will not let a handful of unscrupulous people take the country for a ride. The name of the PN and that of all Maltese of good will is at stake here. No more developments in ODZ please and you will earn the gratitude of all citizens of goodwill.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jun 30th 2009, 13:11
Loopholes? MEPA was a PN brainchild to replace PAPB twenty two years ago, why did it need 45,000 PN voters to convince Gonzi that all is not OK at MEPA? Is it true or not that prior to the general election, during his quest for votes, Gonzi himself assured the meek that occupied the earth at Armier, that their illegal summer dwellings will not be touched? Is Joseph Muscat wrong when he insists that Dr. Gonzi has two faces?
E.Sammut
Jun 30th 2009, 13:08
Now is the time to close any loopholes and not just on big developments. There are other small developers who are also exploiting loopholes causing harm to the weak. MEPA should also stop issuing any permits for bars and other places of entertainment in town centres. These places are violating human rights, keeping everybody young and old alike awake till the morning with their loud music and all the extra noise created by whoever frequents these places. We are fed up of such places ruining our lives and that of our children. Let's plug noise pollution once and for all and plug applications which run counter to the spirit of the policies in place. We'll have to see whether Gonzi is as good as his word or whether these are just empty words.
P.Cassar
Jun 30th 2009, 12:58
Dear Dr. Gonzi
What is the use of telling me that there are loopholes when you are the Prime Minister and more than that, the Minister responsible for plugging such holes.
More than that, was it not your govt which sanctioned development in ODZ zones and promising that such exemptions had to be the last for ever!!! Par idejn sodi????
Anthony Slater
Jun 30th 2009, 12:41
Does that mean that all applications for developement in ODZs will be rejected immediately?
What about applications that exploit the current loopholes? Will there be a cut-off date?
Galea. L
Jun 30th 2009, 12:27
Don't rush Gonzi.
You may trip in your own feet.
A Grech
Jun 30th 2009, 12:26
Blablabla, instead of trying to cover up for the gross deflowering of Baħrija, Gonzi should condemn the stubborn PN president and MEPA for insisting on building that grotesque villa on our countryside.