Front welcomes exclusion of Freeport ODZ expansion

Front Harsien ODZ welcomed the government's decision to exclude the expansion of the Freeport on ODZ land in Birzebbuga.

"Apart from the fact that any further expansion has to take place outside development zones, it is also clear that the operations of the Freeport are having a considerable impact on the quality of life of the local community in Birzebbuga," the front said.

On Tuesday, the Labour Party criticised opposition leader Simon Busuttil’s apparent U-turn on ODZ development.

Despite having previously stated that “ODZ is ODZ” and no development on such land must take place, the PN leader backs the development of agricultural land in Birzebbuga.

Front Ħarsien ODZ also called for a national holistic national plan on warehousing and storage facilities to ensure  the long term sustainability of the Freeport and the import/export sector which are pillars of a diversified economy which is not completely dependent on real estate development.  

“To ensure the long term sustainability of this sector it should be given a priority in the allocation of available brownfield sites. The government should also avoid a proliferation of haphazardly planned small scale facilities in other ODZ areas,” the front said.   

"We also hope that the government is consistent in its exclusion of ODZ development with regards to other projects like the proposed development at Zonqor point in Marsaskala."