NGOs and experts have expressed overwhelming support for the Nationalist Party’s Bill to safeguard the common heritage, urging cross-party support.
They welcomed the Bill as one that can create “radical change” in the protection of environmental and cultural assets and stem abuse.
Din l-Art Ħelwa, Nature Trust and Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar urged the Labour Party to support the Bill and enact the law as soon as possible.
Sociologist Michael Briguglio also said he agreed with it “wholeheartedly”, having spoken on the need for such legislation for a long time.
The Public Domain Bill, submitted by the Opposition to Parliament on Tuesday, aims to protect national, cultural and historical heritage for the benefit of future generations. Through it, the government would have limits on the use of public land.
It would be obliged to safeguard it and ensure public access.
The Bill, if it becomes law, will empower citizens to recommend land and property to be listed as ‘public domain’, meaning it cannot be commercialised and public access to it would be guaranteed.
DLĦ president Simone Mizzi said this was the government’s chance to send a strong message that environment and heritage were worth elevating to the top rung on the national agenda through cross-party consensus.
“It needs strong political will to put an end to the desecration taking place right now of our beautiful buildings and natural spaces,” Ms Mizzi said.
Endorsement of the Bill, coming after the Prime Minister’s new year’s invitation to environmentalists for dialogue as well as his acknowledgement of the green vote after the referendum, would do more to persuade than closing the hunting season three days early, Ms Mizzi added.
If the proposed Bill does not become law under this administration, the Nationalist Party has committed itself to implementing the legislation when in government.
FAA and Nature Trust also support its immediate implementation: “FAA has been calling for the protection of Malta’s coasts and neglected built heritage for years and once this law is implemented, it can bring about a radical change in heritage preservation,” FAA’s Astrid Vella said.
By designating coastal zones, ecological sites, public squares and heritage buildings as ‘public domain’ the sins of the past can be avoided, the group said.
“The law should also reclaim swathes of the countryside from illegal occupation and ensure access to heritage sites which are at present out of bounds to the public like Borġ in-Nadur and tas-Simblija,” Ms Vella added.
The Bill ensures good governance, transparency and accountability in the administration of the nation’s common heritage.
It guarantees the preservation of cultural, historical and environmental assets for future generations.
Nature Trust president Vince Attard said the trust had supported the Bill since it was first proposed by MP Jason Azzopardi in 2011. “When the Bill is approved, all the coastal areas including fortifications and towers should be included from the start.
“This will ensure heritage sites can be well managed by competent authorities and NGOs and enjoyed by all rather than being taken up by individuals or companies for their own commercial gain,” he said.
The government said it was still looking into the details of the Bill.