Updated 12.58pm
A number of sites put into the planning zone back in 2006 may need to be reclassified as Outside Development Zones, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this morning.
Speaking at a panel debate organised by a coalition of 23 environmental NGOs, Dr Muscat hinted at the possibility of a "redesign" of the development zone open for construction.
"Some sites are simply too beautiful to be open for construction," he said, adding that mistakes had been made in the 2006 'rationalisation' of the development zone.
READ: Respect 2006 rationalisation, developers say
The debate was attended by Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil, Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Arnold Cassola, and Democratic Party leader Marlene Farrugia. Environment Minister Jose Herrera also held a seat on the panel as Dr Muscat arrived late due to conflicting obligations.
The coalition presented ten proposals it hoped a future government would take onboard to protect the environment.
PN will learn from mistakes - Busuttil
Dr Busuttil said his party was treating a policy document on the environment as its electoral pledges on the matter. Many of the 10 proposals, he added, were already included in the document.
During the panel discussion, Dr Busuttil said he was not there to defend past mistakes, but to show that he had learnt from them.
The PN had made bad decisions, but it had also been the party that saw EU membership become a reality, he said.
READ: PN considers hunting issue closed, says Busuttil
During the discussion both Dr Busuttil and Dr Herrera faced criticism for their parties’ position in favour of hunting.
On this Dr Busuttil said he had made a commitment to hunters and “credibility is about keeping your word”.
Dr Herrera meanwhile largely skirted the issue.
'I know I'm not popular here' - Muscat
Dr Muscat, who only attended for the last few minutes of the event, said on arriving that he “knew he was not the most popular person in the room”. An admission that only served to accentuate his icy reception.
He said environmentalists seemed to be hung up on the issues of development at Żonqor and a potential racetrack, but did not take into consideration achievements such as the switch the cleaner energy – this too, earned him grumbles from the crowd.
He said he was not there to auction proposals to the green lobby, and they knew where he stood.
PD suggests it favours trapping
Dr Farrugia said her party had been prompted by environmental concerns which were the first symptoms of bad governance. She said a vote for Labour would be a vote for more of the same. On trapping, she hinted at a position in favour of the practice saying only that the “traditional aspect should not be overlooked.
Environmentalists asked all the leaders about the future development of a race track. While Prof. Cassola said this would be a no go, Dr Busuttil said he was open to discussing the matter with involved parties. Dr Muscat said his party had made a commitment on the matter. Dr Farrugia suggested subsiding motorsports enthusiasts’ trips to overseas racetracks instead.
The proposals:
The NGOs put forward a list of 10 election proposals they hope to see implemented.
1. Constitutional enshrinement of the environment: A list of ODZ areas to be prohibited from any form of development/commercialisation.
2. Land use and planning: An overhaul of 2014 ODZ policies; Planning Authority and Environment Resources Authority boards should include members of NGOs/civil society, revised local plans; Masterplan for high-rise and land reclamation; legislation on noise pollution.
3. Afforestation, Natura 200 management and biodiversity protection: calls for a Natura 2000 management agency; afforesting of at least one site every year.
4. Climate change: A vision for a fossil fuel-free Malta and a climate change adaptation strategy.
5. Traffic and transport: a coherent plan for this; a pedestrian/bicycle network; on-the-road assessment of fume generation by vehicles.
6. Waste, water use and agriculture: A series of measure ranging from national management plan for water better labelling of GMOs and several other proposals.
7. Architectural/ Built heritage: No more demolition in Urban Conservation Areas; proper protection of Mdina and Cittadella.
8, Fishing and the marine environment: Better enforcement of current laws; a proper marine spatial plan.
9. Hunting and trapping: maintain current hunting fines; no more trapping derogation; base policy decisions on science not lobby pressure.
10. Environment Impact Assessments, enforcement, donations: Major construction should require parliamentary approval; the removal of VAT from donations to eNGOs; ERA should conduct alternative site selection exercise included in EIA.