Victor Axiak, who started heading the new environment watchdog, will seek a long term vision for the authority that transcends electoral cycles.

He told the Times of Malta the biggest challenge was to impress the point that the environment was “a quality of life” issue.

“People have a lot of expectations but this is good,” he said just before a meeting with employees who will be transferred to the Environment and Resources Authority from the planning authority.

Prof. Axiak is ERA’s first chairman. The new authority is part of the planning authority demerger process, which was promised by the Labour government in its electoral manifesto.

Prof. Axiak said the environment and development need not be viewed as antagonists but complimentary to each other.

In a brief speech, Prof. Axiak said the authority was expected to have a very short honeymoon period. “I am sure the honeymoon will end with the first yes or no we say,” he said.

The comment prompted Environment Minister Leo Brincat to remark that he expected the authority to make its voice heard.

“I will not interfere in what you say but I will worry if you remain silent because it would reflect badly on the choices made,” Mr Brincat said.

Prof. Axiak is well-respected in the field and as previous chairman of the church’s environment commission never shied away from taking strong stands in favor of the environment.

He also sits on the planning authority board and his votes have often reflected a pro-environment stance.

Mr Brincat said two legal notices will be published in the coming days to formally set up the new authority and its board.