Suitable flood mitigation measures were needed in Balzan, AD chairman Michael Briguglio said this morning.

Addressing a news conference during which the party presented Andre Vella as its candidate for the forthcoming local election, Dr Briguglio said the flooding problem inconvenienced residents and was not being given the importance it deserved by authorities.

"Our local council candidates put residents' quality of life on the top of their agenda."

Mr Vella said:

"The residents in Balzan deserve better. The flooding problem has been with us for ages, and the government has not addressed the problem.

"The local council had planned to build a reservoir to collect rain water, but it never materialised over a land dispute with the Good Shepherd sisters.

"The Balzan Valley Flood Relief Project dates back to 1997 and the rainwater culverts did not eliminate the flooding problem.

"The Storm Water Relief system promised to build an underground tunnel between Mosta and Msida but it is still in a state of uncertainty.

"Despite these efforts, last year the foul smelling flooding problem was even greater as we remember cars floating in Balzan Valley.

"This calls for an urgent flooding mitigation strategy."

Sustainable development spokesman Carmel Cacopardo said that as a result of climate change, problems caused by heavy rainfall and the resulting flooding will get worse in the years to come.

When the climate change adaptation strategy was drawn up it did not focus on local impacts.

Local councils as well as the regions which have been recently set up as a result of the recent amendments to local council legislation where not considered adequately.

The presence of AD in councils will serve to address this deficit by putting in practice the maxim that on environmental issues one should think global but act local, he said.