Land Reclamation only if in the national interest – MDA

Sandro Chetcuti, speaking on behalf of the Malta Developers Association (MDA), has said that the association is against land reclamation, unless it is in the national interest, which he defined as developments that create jobs and contribute to the Maltese economy.

Chetcuti was speaking at a meeting between the MDA and Front Harsien ODZ, which was called by the MDA in order to maintain a level dialogue with environmental NGOs.

Michael Briguglio, speaking on behalf of Front Harsien ODZ (Front), said that the NGO’s concern is mainly with development on outside development zones (ODZ).

Specifically, Briguglio said that Front is very concerned with the current development with regards to the Paceville masterplan. He said that it is the NGO’s belief that before discussing a master plan for Paceville, a national master plan must be in place.

“Front also insists that before the Paceville master plan proceeds, a national master plan is required, so as to evaluate Malta’s carrying capacity and sustainability challenges. We are also calling for the publication of all correspondence received by Government and PA on the matter,” said Briguglio.

He also said that Front was against ODZ land being used as a political tool to win votes. He said that changes to the local plan should only be made if this was absolutely necessary and not as a favour, adding that the priority should be the regeneration of rundown urban areas, rather than development on ODZ land.

Finally, Front said that they were against the proposed land reclamation associated with the mater plan and that in the NGO’s view, land reclamation should only be considered if it is in the national interest, and not for building apartments.

Chetcuti said that the MDA agreed that land reclamation should only take place if it is was in the national interest, however when pressed by journalists on whether they are in agreement with the NGO on the definition of national interest Chetcuti said that the MDA considers any project that will employ people and contribute to the economy to be in the national interest.

He said that the development of hotels aimed at bringing specific type of tourists to Malta would be in the national interest.

Chetcuti said that the MDA has always been against ODZ development, adding that the country needs to properly define what natural interest means. He said that the ODZ policy, while good intentioned, had been abused due to the great number of loopholes in the policy.

Anglu Xuereb said that MDA was concerned by the fact that quarries used for construction and development waste were soon going to be full and that an alternative needed to be found.

“What will happen in ten years, when the quarries are full? A new Maghtab?” asked Xuereb.

He said that the country needed to find an alternative as soon as possible, suggesting that the construction waste should be separated from demolition waste and used in the construction of new roads, among other possible usese