Labour to separate Mepa planning and environment functions
Local councils to get planning vote
Labour to separate Mepa planning and environment functions
A Labour government will separate the planning and environment functions of the planning authority, according to Joseph Muscat.
Addressing journalists in front of theMepa offices in Floriana, the Labour leader unveiled wide-ranging changes to the composition of the authority, including the right for local councils to have a vote on the board.
Dr Muscat said environment groups and developers had long been asking for the environment and planning functions to be separated as they were in the past.
A regulatory authority incorporating the environment and resources would be set up with a vote on the planning board - as opposed to a simple recommendation as it is today.
Dr Muscat said that for big projects, the affected local council would be given a right to vote on the board when a decision is taken.
Asked by timesofmalta.com whether the political parties would lose the seat they have on the board, Dr Muscat said Labour had no problem with that but any such decision will have to be taken in agreement with the Opposition.
"We don't feel the government should impose this because the Opposition may interpret this as lack of scrutiny. But if the Opposition agrees, we have no problem in removing the party representatives on the planning board."
Describing the MEPA reform undertaken by the current administration as a "spectacular failure", Dr Muscat said planning fees will also be reviewed downwards to make them realistic.
On the illegal Armier boathouses, he said "a reasonable and just solution" had to be found.
The proposals
- Planning and environmental functions will be separated. Today they fall under one umbrella at Mepa.
- Environment and resources will fall under one authority. The authority will have a vote on the planning authority board and not simply a recommendation.
- A planning and sustainable development authority will replace MEPA.
- A parliamentary committee to oversee planning issues will be set up. Dedicated sessions for Gozo.
- Local councils affected by certain development projects will be given a vote on the planning board when those projects come up for decision.
- Extend regularisation scheme for illegalities, especially related to sanitary laws.
- Planning tariffs will be reviewed to make them sustainable and reasonable.
- Architects will be empowered to issue compliance certificates. They will be professionally responsible for their actions.
- Permit extensions will be given in certain cases
- More minor developments will fall under the notification system.
- A fund will be set up for green groups, which they can tap to finance research on projects they will want to object to.
- Green groups will appoint a representative on the planning authority and the environment and resources authority.
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Simon Abela
Feb 1st, 03:41
I think this is the best move by Dr Muscat sees the right light at the end of the tunnel. MEPA should not be involved in any environmental decisions. MEPA has some good people but there are others that should not be involved in any environmental decisions. Because you are an Architects its does not make you an Environmental Guru!!
Great Job Dr Muscat..
Simon Abela
Environmental Engineer
TX
Mario Desira
Jan 30th, 19:34
If we really believe the environment comes first, not only should the Environmental branch have votes, they should have a veto!
Mario Desira
Jan 30th, 19:34
Since human activity has serious environmental repercussions, the way forward probably lies in integration not separation. My personal opinion is that the four blocks formerly Air Malta head office are used to house an integrated MRA, MEPA Planning MEPA Environment and a central Co-ordinating authority to avoid both duplication and inconsistency.
Carlo Cassar
Jan 30th, 17:50
I work in the sector and the general idea about MEPA is that this really need to change. The PL proposals are truly positive and all those working in the sector are looking forward for a Labor government to affect these changes immediately. PN had all the chance to do so but they didn't. Its useless to promise this reform again Mr Gonzi you had all the time to do it but you didn't
mario scerri
Jan 30th, 17:13
Proposti li vera jirriflettu r-riforma li hemm bzonn fil-MEPA
david debattista
Jan 30th, 16:36
Past abuse especially recent once have to be investigated and any contractor , Architects, or developer responsible held accountable . We are seen as a 3rd world country on such issues by other counties especially in the EU. In Gozo the situation is even worst. Some have this COWBOY mentality . As for Mepa GET RIDE OF IT. It was always riddled with corruption, and failed miserably ! LETS DO IT
Joe Pace Asciak
Jan 30th, 16:17
"Architects will be empowered to issue compliance certificates. They will be professionally responsible for their actions". MLP - Today, 30 January.
"Ic-certifikati tal-compliance jigu mahruga mill-perit tal-applikant u fuq ir-responsabbilta' professjonali tieghu". PN - Programm Elettorali - 112 (iv) - Friday, 25 January.
t aguis
Jan 30th, 21:04
The difference is that one will still need the chance to implement and from the other side it had 12 years to implement the reforms in MEPA. The government will be judged by its doings and the opposition has the benifits of doubt.
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 30th, 16:15
At this stage the cost of the deserved honoriaria paid to the ministers of the smallest cabinet since independence has paled into total insignificance compared to the cost of government being suggested by Cyprus Joe! Quite a change in direction - destination the wall.
But some are happy with the “mzazen” label.
Alex Ellul
Jan 30th, 15:11
No wonder the Malta Developers Association came out all in favour of JM's promises. The cat is out of the bag.
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 30th, 16:22
Cyprus Joe (flanked by the shameless Brincat) has relegated the environmental aspect to one insignificant vote. This environmental authority can be against all proposed projects however it will never succeed in stopping projects. On the other hand the development authority would say that it has nothing to do with environmental issues.
At best the authority will be a loveable toothless chiwawa
Edward Mallia
Jan 30th, 14:38
As is inevitable in these situations, chopping and changing bodies will not necessarily bring any benefits. Dr. Muscat has already mentioned "bi-partisan" running of Enemalta, recruiting the "best brains" to do this or that. But unless the "best brains" of whichever side are prepared to resist political orders they know to be legally or technically wrong, we will see little improvement.
Godwin Cassar
Jan 30th, 14:32
Separating planning & environment giving the latter as a new agency a vote on the deciding body would in effect weaken and not strenghten the lobby for environmental protection. Planning or Spatial Planning as more commonly known takes into account environmental management and protection - it is in itself an integrative process across many disciplines.
James Tyrrell
Jan 30th, 14:27
I have been saying for years that the two issues of planning and environmental protection need to be dealt with seperately so this is a move in the right direction. With regard to NGO representatives on the boards whilst that looks like a good idea, at the end of the day they are always going to be outnumbered regarding any decisions.
Alex Ellul
Jan 30th, 14:16
I think Joseph Muscat will get the vote of the developers and concrete jungle expanders.
J Martinelli
Jan 30th, 14:14
I thought that Joseph had promised less bureaucracy, not more.
Shorter time between application and approval, not longer.
Smoother and more transparent procedures not pitting one department against another.
PSDA but not MEPA - and E&RA? What's in a name?
Cosmetics, just to reform what the Nationalist govt had instituted.
Another half-baked proposal done in haste. Smoke & mirrors & paraventi.
Henry S Pace
Jan 30th, 14:08
Joey' What about the Armier Boathouses?????
Roberto Fenech
Jan 30th, 13:54
Is this the reform that Muscat talked about? To me its more like cosmetics.
What about reform in the policies? What is his position on the empty property? What is the policy on abandoned houses that make the environment look ugly? How is the parliamentary committee going to work? Is this again an involvement of certain Ministers to issue permits (like Lorry Sant style)?
Roberto Fenech
Jan 30th, 13:50
Permit extensions will be given in certain cases
What are the cases? We have to go the Minister once again to get a renewal of a permit? Today this is done automatically as long as nothing change (including application and MEPA policy).
Roberto Fenech
Jan 30th, 13:49
Planning tariffs will be reviewed to make them sustainable and reasonable.
Can Muscat give us the guarantee that they will not increase?
Roberto Fenech
Jan 30th, 13:48
Extend regularisation scheme for illegalities, especially related to sanitary laws.
Which illegalities? All or only to sanitary Laws?
Roberto Fenech
Jan 30th, 13:46
Planning and environmental functions will be separated. Today they fall under one umbrella at Mepa.
PLanning and development is part of teh environment and so it does not make any sense to separate them.
Alex Ellul
Jan 30th, 14:12
Yes it makes sense, for the Malta Developers Association who have been supporting the PL. Scratch my back- I will scratch yours. This will sens us back tot the Lorry Sant times when building permits were a joke.
Where are those who were so ready to protest against MEPA approving some borderline project once in a blue moon? Such projects will be the order of the day under the PL. Dangerous times
Eddy Privitera
Jan 30th, 13:00
Dr. Fraanco Debono has decided not to contest this election. He has made this clear in his blog.
J Martinelli
Jan 30th, 14:15
To your great loss, Eddy, no doubt.
Chris Borg
Jan 30th, 12:40
Good proposal to improve the whole process. Last election in 2008 Dr. Gonzi promised to reform MEPa...we all know that 5 years after MEPA has the same problems of 5 years ago. So Dr. Gonzi failed in this reform - so let look forward for change
Mr Alan Zahra
Jan 30th, 12:36
Good news for the developers as they will reap rewards in the short term- but Malta and most of us will suffer in the long term as we suffocate our country in more concrete.
Alex Ellul
Jan 30th, 14:15
exactly. Dangerous times ahead.
Mark. Galea
Jan 30th, 12:14
Reading between the lines, I understand that a lot of new "jobs" will be created ... for whom?
J Martinelli
Jan 30th, 14:16
What are 'a few jobs' compared to 8800?
Darren Bugeja
Jan 30th, 12:12
PL deserves a chance...in the past he made mistakes...but that is too far away now...We need to experience today's PL governance first before we say something against them....Bring Malta first Vote PL, Malta needs a change
Luke Bonnici
Jan 30th, 12:04
including local councils will lead to a culture of NIMBY-ism stifling economic growth!!
Angelo Vassallo
Jan 30th, 12:00
@ Victor Laiviera
THAT is what 'real' reform looks like ...
By this move "dear leader" joseph muscat will be taking us back to the 70's and 80's when the LEJBURIST minister lorry sant (or his driver) had the ABSOLUTE POWER to do the hell they wanted to do.
SO THIS IS HOW AND WHY THE DELIMARA LEJBURIST PROJECT WILL BE FINISHED IN JUST TWO YEARS. THEY ARE GOING TO SCRAP MEPA
Charlo Agius
Jan 30th, 11:58
X'serjeta u energija gdida. Well done Joseph and your team din hi Malta li rridu nghixu fiha. Proposti ghal-Socjeta' ahjar!
Joseph Borg
Jan 30th, 11:54
The division of power is what was needed with the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry. We should heed such example. As long as these proposals are aimed at doing things in a prudent and reasonable way, there is no reason for not supporting them. What objection will the PN find to giving more powers to green lobbies and Local Councils?
Mary Ann Borg
Jan 30th, 11:47
Typical Lejber. So now, should Joseph Delivers makes it to Castille, one needs to go not to 1 Lejber heavyweight but 2. If splitting one organisation into 2 different ones is Lejber's idea of cutting down bureaucracy then we really are in for a rough ride again with Lejber.
Albert Bonello
Jan 30th, 12:18
Everything multiplied by 2. Now thats what I call the moving forward. Contrary to my belief I can't wait to see the PL in Government...........the people who will deliver us from the pan into the fire. It is easy to be a critic from the opposition not knowing the difficulties that surround each issue. Its only when get your hands wet that you realise different things are.
Amante Reale
Jan 30th, 13:09
I'm sorry... do you have spelling problems? Your use of "Lejber" only makes you sound incompetent and incapable of being an adult. No matter how true, this makes me disregard every point you make in your comment.
"Joseph Delivers". So sad. Grow up.
Jos Borg
Jan 30th, 13:34
@ Amante Reale
Well said. It is evident with certain commentators who post here that they do not accept any arguments which do not strictly fall within the PN's line of thinking.
Whether you are a labour supporter or neutral, you have every right to express your opinion.
But then you get mocked by people like Mary Ann Borg.
I prefer to look for substance in posts.
Leslie Darmanin
Jan 30th, 13:53
@Jos Borg
The use of the word "Lejber" is not mocking, it reflects two truths:
1. The Malta Lejber Party is putting all effort to hide away its name, its logo and its history because it is ashamed of it, as it should be.
2. Tthe perverse spelling "Lejber" is also intended to reflect the average MLP supporter eduction level.
Lejber is the correct term to use. Sorry.
J Martinelli
Jan 30th, 14:25
Jos Borg, if Labour proposes reform & they make sense, & reveals costs, etc. they would be generally accepted.
But when Joseph presents plans without spelling out the advantages, it points to 'changing for the sake of change', not necessarily preferable to what's already in place.
What advantage is there by doubling existing bureaucracy? Bigger govt = less efficiency, proven over & over again.
Leslie Darmanin
Jan 30th, 15:25
Jos Borg
We call Lejber Lejber because they are Lejber.
No matter how much they try to call themselves "moviment", or "joseph.muscat.com" or "malta taghna lkoll", they remain the Malta Lejber Party.
The MLP Is a party with a horrid past and an equally horrid future.
And we spell it "Lejber" because that's a reflection of the average MLP supporter's education level.
Get it?
Jos Borg
Jan 30th, 16:23
@ J Martinelli
I have seen a thousand of your posts here in which you are consistently harping against anything that is not 100% PN.
This is hardly the ideal way to discuss and argue issues that important not only to you but to anyone living on this isle.
With your arguments you give the impression that you stand a lot to lose if the PN is no longer in government.
A Spiteri
Jan 30th, 11:45
Local councils affected by certain development projects will be given a vote on the planning board when those projects come up for decision.
Good but simply not enough!
local councils, actually, regional councils should be handed the power to grant permits themselves. thus, installing political accountibility to any decision!
Joseph Camilleri
Jan 30th, 11:27
So how are two authorities going to be less bureaucratic than one? And what, exactly is a responsible way for dealing with minor planning enforcements, is it the PN approach to wipe slate clean?
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 30th, 11:24
At this stage the cost of the deserved honoraria payment to the ministers of the smallest cabinet since independence has already paled into total insignificance.
The cost of government is set to rocket exponentially!
George Cutajar
Jan 30th, 11:18
It would be interesting to see whom JM will appoint to plan these reforms.
John Zarb
Jan 30th, 11:13
Another good proposal. It is much needed that the two entities should be seperated.
Dr. Muscat is day after day coming out with concrete proposals that the citezens have been longing for.
M Gatt
Jan 30th, 11:06
Very essential move. With this proposal, we will have the required checks and balances like other countries in the EU. There will be no "ghax dak il-kugin tieghi" jew "ghax dak itina hafna flus".
Godfrey Camilleri
Jan 30th, 11:04
What about coming uptodate with the long list of un executed enforcement orders?
Leslie Darmanin
Jan 30th, 12:06
No they won't . That costs votes.
But in creating two new bureaucracies Labour would gain votes by promising promotions to envious Labour supporters dying to get their own back on their more successful Nationalist counterparts at MEPA.
And by having its people in place, Labour would also create shortcuts for its eccentric projects.
Win win for Labour.
Poor Malta.
B Attard
Jan 30th, 10:45
Very good move. It's Essential.
Joe Grech
Jan 30th, 10:41
Under Gonzi PN speculators kept ruining the environment; his famous MEPA Reform was just a farce as Building obscenities and bad enforcement continue to this very day. Also Gonzi saw Audit Officer J. Falzon and C. Cacopardo thrown out to satisfy the building tycoons & did nothing SHAME.
Labour's proposals are promising but it's wrong to ''sanction" illegalities, at Armier also.
We need change!
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 30th, 11:19
How will this proposal address the issues you have highlighted? From what I read it may make it even worst. In a nutshell the environment has been relegated to one "insignificant" vote. The new environment authority may be against all projects in the world but it will be very hard for it to stop any. It will be a loveable toothless chihuahua!
Jonathan Scerri
Jan 30th, 10:32
It is crystal clear that the two functions need to be separate to operate effectively as the two have different, sometimes conflicting, remits. In the UK, they have the Planning Authority (PA) and the Environment Agency (EA) and the two form part of the checks and balances required.
Mr charles azzopardi
Jan 30th, 10:31
hopefully with two departments we do not get twice the number of directors so as they get more pay for hijacking the country ..
A Tonna
Jan 30th, 13:56
It's not the number of directors that matter but how much they are paid. If you hav one director who gets the pay of 10 directors, I think this is what matters. Does it ring a bell to get a foreign director with a very high pay because the Maltese are 'Cwiec'? And if you talk about pay, who gave themselves more than 500 euros A WEEK pay RISE?
J Martinelli
Jan 30th, 14:33
A Tonna, can you not be a little more original in your comments? Throw that broken record away and come up with something more current like the 600 million omelette Joseph just fried two weeks ago.
Tell us who benefited from Anglu's head and the whereabouts of Konrad?
Leslie Darmanin
Jan 30th, 10:30
The dismantling of Mepa and the recreation of two authorities means only one thing - jobs for the boys.
A Labour takeover of the planning and envrionment system to speed up applications like that for a new power station and land reclamations to feed the building industry.
So much for "Malta taghna lkoll".
Labour is coming back with a vengence. The gloves will soon be off...
V. Cauchi
Jan 30th, 10:11
It looks like Labour is aiming at a big cabinet of ministers and several parliamentary secretaries. Sort of going around the €500 issue by getting a large number of MPs earning a salary by raising them on a pedestal.
jm busuttil
Jan 30th, 11:24
I have been saying it a long time ago. This is the only way to avoid trouble within his party.
Alan Deidun
Jan 30th, 10:10
On the illegal Armier boathouses, he said "a reasonable and just solution" had to be found.
Fence-sitting at its best, as is the PN's case after all......dreams of the public land at Armier being returned to the country as a whole are just DELUSIONS
R Casha
Jan 30th, 10:26
Totally agree!
They made such beaches their own private beach...apart from making such places an eyesore!
And why is only Armier being mentioned? There's Gnejna, Ghadira, Qawra, Bahar ic-Caghaq, Valletta...etc etc
Anthony Scicluna
Jan 30th, 10:33
Isn't that obvious: one cannot rock the boat too much before a general election lest the house of cards crumbles.
What is reasonable and just to the owners of the illegal buildings is not necessarily what is reasonable and just to the society at large. It is this play with words that the electorate fails to see.
Anton Scerri Borg
Jan 30th, 10:50
another classic case of MALTA TAGHNA LKOLL. Gallerija ora pro nobis...u ejja ma ndahhqux:-)
Kevin Sciberras
Jan 30th, 10:53
Alan, do you at least agree with the proposals? im under the impression they are more or less with what you've been preaching for years.
or do we resort to nitpicking for the sake of it?
Jos Borg
Jan 30th, 13:51
@ Alan Deidun
I never expected such a comment from a former PN candidate for the EU Parliament.
As a conservationalist you had the clout to do something within the PN on Armier during the last 5 years. You chose to do nothing reflecting the position adopted by the PN during the last 26 years.
Now this is a whole mess.
Do you have the temerity to criticise someone who is trying to solve this co
Jos Borg
Jan 30th, 16:18
@ Alan Deidun
I never expected such a comment from a former PN candidate for the EU Parliament.
As a conservationist you had the clout to do something within the PN on Armier during the last 5 years. You chose to do nothing reflecting the position adopted by the PN during the last 26 years.
Now this is a whole mess.
Do you have the temerity to criticise someone who is trying to solve this cobw
George Cutajar
Jan 30th, 10:01
But if the Opposition agrees, we have no problem in removing the party representatives on the planning board.
JM is so sure of becoming PM that he is already addressing the PN as the Opposition. He simply cannot hide his feelings and cannot wait any longer.
Victor Laiviera
Jan 30th, 10:25
Not so - this proposal is part of an Electoral Manifesto. So, naturally, it will only come into force IF and WHEN their party is elected. Also naturally, IF that happens, the other party will be in opposition.
Stop clutching at straws.
Neil Zammit
Jan 30th, 10:32
Joseph Muscat said if he is in Prime Minister he'll do the following but only if the opposition agrees..... IF he is in government therefore the PN would have to be in opposition....he can't do things if he's in opposition again... so IF PL is in government the PN will be in opposition.... common sense...he's not saying he's Prime Minister already.
Anthony Scicluna
Jan 30th, 15:22
Victor, where is the Electoral Manifesto? Is it published or are Labour muddling through?
Victor Laiviera
Jan 30th, 10:00
THAT is what 'real' reform looks like ...
Paul Gauci
Jan 30th, 10:17
THAT is what a stupid reform looks like .... how can you separate planning from environment ... we build and develop land i.e. the environment.
You were right in putting real in " " .....
K Spiteri
Jan 30th, 10:37
You're right in putting the word real between quotes because it's another Labour in Wonderland proposal...
B Ellul
Jan 30th, 10:44
Iva prosit... we were all waiting for JM to speak out...
Manwel Sinagra
Jan 30th, 10:45
Paul Gauci, At the moment the situation is similar to what there was in the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs. That ministry was rightly split.
T Farrugia
Jan 30th, 10:47
@ Paul Gauci
If You think that this is stupid, then you think that other European countries are stupid as well. Because these two are seperate in most European countries
Joseph Mifsud
Jan 30th, 10:53
@ Paul Gauci
Guess you know well how mepa works eee....by separating the two entities you will enhance a more objective opinion on both. Then they convey to discuss the common issues.. You are so prejudiced about PL that you are not thinking before talking.
Paul Gauci
Jan 30th, 11:25
The two issues are intrinsically linked one with the other. You cannot speak of spatial development without taking into considering the environmental issues because each and every spatial development impinges on the the environment.
JOHN WHITE
Jan 30th, 09:58
Parole Parole Parole...........
Neil Zammit
Jan 30th, 10:34
Do you have any proof to make your comment fact? Keep in mind that the last time labour was in charge their leader was not Joseph Muscat. Or is it just you don't believe anything he says just for the hack of it??
J Camilleri
Jan 30th, 10:40
It's called a proposal Mr White
Alfred Vassallo
Jan 30th, 11:35
@JOHN WHITE
Typical pn stooge
J Martinelli
Jan 30th, 14:47
J Camilleri, are you saying that Joseph's 'proposal' is not Labour policy?
That's why labour is not trusted because there is always an escape route in anything they propose, just in case things do not work out as envisioned.
Lack of vision, limited foresight - road-map to the wilderness.
What a waste of time.
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