The Church Environment Commission (KA) sadly notes that the proposed Paceville Masterplan seems to imply that the appalling conditions of the locality it is supposedly addressing are standalones and not the various related symptoms of a common cause: unsustainable development. Therefore, one would have imagined that the PA and Government would be wise enough to identify the real cause of the problems, learn from past experiences and ultimately avoid repeating the same mistakes…

In December 2015, the Interdiocesan Commission for the Environment (KA) proposed some points for reflection and action by Maltese citizens and Government so that as a Maltese nation we do our part to care for our common home. The proposals followed the publication of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’.

On World Town Planning Day 2016 which is being observed today, the KA would like to focus on one recommendation that dealt with a national study on property…

Is-Sibt, 5 ta’ Diċembru 2015, saret it-tieni sessjoni tal-konferenza organizzata mill-Kummissjoni Interdjoċesana Ambjent, fil-Kurja tal-Isqof, ir-Rabat Għawdex. F’din is-sessjoni ġew diskussi numru ta’ proposti li l-Kummissjoni Ambjent ressqet għar-riflessjoni u għall-azzjoni mill-Knisja. Il-kelliema inkludew lil Mons. Karm Refalo, President tal-Kulleġġ tal-Kappillani ta’ Għawdex, Dun Gordon Refalo, President tal-Kulleġġ tal-Kappillani ta’ Malta, Patri Mark Ciantar OFM mill-Youth Alive Foundation, u s-Sur Reuben Pace, Segretarju Ġenerali tal-M.U.S.E.U.M. 

Agħfas hawn biex tniżżel il-proposti tal-Kummissjoni Ambjent għall-Knisja (pdf)…

Nhar il-Ġimgħa, 4 ta’ Diċembru 2015, bdiet konferenza ta’ jumejn organizzata mill-Kummissjoni Interdjoċesana Ambjent. Fil-konferenza bit-tema “Laudato Si’: mid-Dokument għall-Azzjoni”, rappreżentanti ewlenin tal-Istat u tal-Knisja iddiskutew għadd ta’ proposti ispirati mill-Enċiklika dwar l-ambjent tal-Papa Franġisku. Fl-ewwel sessjoni ġew diskussi numru ta’ proposti li l-Kummissjoni Ambjent ressqet għar-riflessjoni u għall-azzjoni min-naħa taċ-ċittadini Maltin u tal-Gvern. Il-konferenza ġiet indirizzata mill-Arċisqof Charles J. Scicluna, filwaqt li l-membri tal-panel kienu jinkludi l-Onor…

On the occasion of World Town Planning Day which is observed on 8th November, the KA would like to appeal to all Members of Parliament to put aside any partisan motivation and seriously consider the implications of the proposed Bills relating to Development Planning and Environment Protection which are expected to be debated in Parliament.

The Maltese Islands cannot afford to have a weak planning system because of weak procedures and weak planning policies that fail to safeguard the common good in lieu of satisfying the interests of the few…

Development Planning Act, 2015

Environment and Planning Review Tribunal Act, 2015

Environment Protection Act, 2015

Having proposed the idea of the demerger of MEPA in 2009 (before it was ever proposed as an electoral promise), the Interdiocesan Commission for the Environment (KA) submitted its reactions to the three Bills which aim to split MEPA into two Authorities, with the aim of further clarifying its position on the issue, thus clearing up any misinterpretation of its original stance…

The Interdiocesan Commission for the Environment (KA) is deeply concerned about the proposed complex of shooting ranges on around 70 tumoli of land which include agricultural land at Busbesija, Mosta. The area which is outside development zone (ODZ) is an area of high landscape value as designated in the Central Local Plan. The KA’s view is that the use of such land for the proposed project amounts to a substantial negative impact on the Maltese countryside…

The Interdiocesan Commission for the Environment (KA) has followed the developments in the case of the proposed building of a University at Zonqor Point, and is concerned on various points which are discussed below. The KA is absolutely not against any attempt at improving the education sector and at providing wider opportunities in the academic field.

Procedures for the granting of land in the framework of a land-use strategy

The Commission is surprised that while Government issues tenders for small parcels of land or buildings, in the case of the Zonqor Point project it has decided to choose an investor and grant 90 tumoli of land without any kind of competition…

Considering the high population density of our islands, one rightly expects land space to be managed with great care to ensure that any development would sustain it for a good number of years. Therefore successful management in this regard implies that this is carried out in a strategic planning framework that integrates various needs, so that the common good is safeguarded. We have to ensure that past mistakes are avoided and that one particular project does not undermine the objectives of other projects…