Mepa reform will not change much - PL

The Mepa reform approved by Parliament this morning lacked vision would not lead to any radical changes, the Labour Party said in a statement.

The PL said the reform was ironically approved only a few hours after the approval of Mepa’s environmental rape at Dwejra in Gozo.

It said that during the debate the government claimed victory because the European Commission dropped the procedures against Malta regarding the development zones.

But the commission only dropped the procedures because the extension of the zones in 2006 was a continuation of what had started in 1992, before Malta became an EU member. This was shameful and well away from the spirit which had to guide the reform.

The government’s arrogance reigned during the debate which completely shunned the concrete proposals made by the PL, it said.

PL proposals included that Mepa should have an environment protection agency which was separate from the planning section to ensure a balance between environmental needs and sustainable development.

Another proposal was for a parliamentary committee led by the opposition to replace the monitoring committee and scrutinise policies and people serving on the Mepa boards.

The PL’s third proposal was to make do with the old structure plan concept and replace it with spatial planning incorporating planning, the needs of the people, spaces and sustainable development.

These proposals, the PL said, had the support of the Church’s Environment Commission and several other entities which had submitted proposals for the reform.