Local councils never consulted over land route for hazardous waste – PL

The Opposition’s spokesman for local government Stefan Buontempo said government is “undermining” local councils’ work and is going against the residents’ interest “in a flagrant breach of the law”.

Last Wednesday, MaltaToday revealed how hazardous waste from Delimara will be transported on a land route passing from main roads on the outskirts of Marsaxlokk, Ghaxaq, Zejtun, Tarxien, Gudja and B’Bugia.

The plan was listed in a document submitted by Enemalta to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. A traffic impact study submitted to MEPA estimates that a maximum of four 20-foot heavy vehicle containers will be passing through this route every day, two of which will be carrying hazardous waste.

“Government approved these routes without even consulting with the local councils,” Buontempo said. “This only goes to prove that government is in breach of laws agreed in parliament, laws which protect the interest of the Maltese communities.”

Buontempo said local councils have been ignored on something which effects human health. “The law is clear and forces government authorities they have to inform, and where applicable consult, on decisions which effect directly or indirectly councils and their residents.”

Buontempo said no consultations were carried out with the local councils when the routes were approved.

“Government cannot consider itself above law. This abusive attitude only shows incompetence and arrogance which undermines local councils and ignores the residents’ interests,” Buontempo said.

In the interest of the citizens’ health this attitude cannot be accepted, he concluded.