23rd October 2001
Environment groups want environmentalist
on PA Board
Friends of the
Earth (Malta)
Nature Trust (Malta)
Eco – the Ecological Foundation
Din L-Art Helwa
Environment groups Friends of the Earth
(Malta), Nature Trust, Eco – the Ecological Foundation
and Din L-Art Helwa have written to the Prime Minister asking
that an environmentalist be appointed to the PA Baord.
Environment groups have never been happy with the make-up
of the PA Board and no environmentalist that enjoys the
confidence of the groups has ever been appointed.
The PA Act envisages that environmentalists should be appointed
to the Board.
A copy of the letter which was also sent to the Head of
the EU Delegation, and the Ministers for Home Affairs and
Foreign Affairs follows.
Signed,
Julian Manduca
For the Groups
The Prime Minister,
The Hon. Dr. Eddie Fenech Adami LLD MP
OPM
Auberge de Castille
22 October 2001
Dear Prime Minister,
I write on behalf of Friends of the Earth (Malta), Nature
Trust, Eco – the Ecological Foundation and Din L-Art
Helwa in connection with the constitution of the new Board
of the Planning Authority, the term of which is set to commence
next month.
Amongst the members of the said board, appointed by your
goodself, 8 persons are, in accordance with article 3(2)
of the Development Planning Act, "(hereinafter called
independent members) to be chosen from amongst persons of
known integrity and with knowledge of and experience in
matters relating to development, including commercial or
industrial activities, or social and community affairs and
environment".
The integrity of the said Board, as well as the competence
of its members, are undoubtedly of paramount importance
in the proper and wise planning for Malta's development.
Throughout the years the Board has left much to be desired
in a number of controversial decisions, some of which even
seemed to lack the legal validity, as when the board has
overruled or ignored the dictates of the Development Planning
Act itself.
To our knowledge the three Boards appointed since 1992 have,
contrary to the dictates of the Act, not included any persons
with knowledge of an experience in matters relating to the
environment. A lack of such representation has in our view
had a deleterious impact on the Board's efficiency and ability
to take the sustainable nature of development. While one
representative in 15 is hardly likely to have a determining
influence on the Board, he or she could provide the perspective
needed that has thus far been lacking in past Boards. This
would also be in line with the dictates and principles enunciated
in EU directives and the Aarhus Convention, which of course
also forms part of the Acquis Communitaire.
It is for this reason that we are hereby submitting a name
for your consideration for appointment to the said Planning
Authority Board, namely, Dr. Rudolf Ragonesi LLD, who has
been active in the field of environment since 1988, and
who has legal knowledge and experience in environment and
planning law.
