PN’s ODZ proposal to be fine-tuned after consultation with green NGOs

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said that the PN will fine-tune its recent proposal to safeguard land outside development zones after consulting with green NGOs next week.

The PN has proposed that all applications for “major projects of national importance” on ODZ land must be approved by parliament through a two-thirds majority.

To avoid a deadlock by a potentially disruptive opposition, applications will be subjected to a two-thirds vote for a maximum of two readings, after which the government will be able to pass it with a simple majority.

Presently, the final decision on ODZ projects is taken by the Planning Authority board – whose majority is directly appointed by government – following a recommendation by the PA’s planning directorate, which includes planning experts.

According to Busuttil’s proposal, the PA will make a “recommendation” to parliament on whether projects should be approved or not, but the final decision will lie with the house.

When asked by MaltaToday whether he will close this potential loophole that will effectively allow MPs to overrule development decisions by the PA, Busuttil said that the proposal was still up for consultation.

“I will be meeting with environmental NGOs next week to discuss the technicalities of the proposal, and find out how it can be improved,” he said. “Everyone except the Prime Minister agrees with the principle of the proposal though – that projects on ODZ should be subjected to a two-thirds House majority.”

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has rubbished the proposal, as one that would shift the onus for planning decisions from technical experts to politicians.

“I will not turn back time to the days when projects were decided upon by politicians…the ideal recipe for corruption,” he said.