New laws aimed at protecting public land from development must be “backed by good governance”, the Civil Society Network’s co-founder Michael Briguglio told the Times of Malta.
“Let’s hope that this endeavour gets the good governance backing required to really be effective,” he said.
The Public Domain Act, enacted last week, is possibly the first big test for new Environment Minister José Herrera, as it sets clear restrictions over the development of public land.
The law is aimed at protecting Malta’s coastline and other important public sites from commercialisation and development – ensuring future generations can also enjoy what’s left of Malta’s green spaces.
It sets limits on the use of public land and assets and obliges the government to safeguard them and ensure public access.
The law protects areas such as the seabed and subsoil, the coastal perimeters and foreshore (which the law defines as up to 15 metres inland) – categorising them as being of public domain.
Civil society should be vigilant and use its influence to enhance and safeguard public domain
Other areas and property, including valleys, squares, woods, forts, nature reserves and cultural artefacts, can also be proposed for listing as public domain and therefore protected from development.
Dr Briguglio said the new law helps to empower civil society, especially when land is threatened by privatisation and loss of access.
“Civil society should be vigilant and use its influence to enhance and safeguard public domain,” Dr Briguglio said.
Speaking on behalf of Din l-Art Ħelwa, environmentalist Alan Deidun said the law was a good first step, particularly seeing that it has bi-partisan support.
Though concessions on the coast for private use can still be given, the law puts an extra level of checks and balances on the government as any such concessions must be approved by Parliament.
He said the new law required the cooperation of the Land Department to facilitate the registration of public land. “There will be a register of public land which so far does not exist. The law is not perfect but it is a good start. I hope that MPs from both sides of the House will follow up on it,” Prof. Deidun said.
Speaking during an informal meeting with DLĦ, Dr Herrera had said he wanted to make sure the law was implemented in a structured manner together with the Opposition and NGOs.