Decision on Ricasoli tank upgrade postponed to allow more time for consultations

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) postponed taking a decision on the upgrading of Ricasoli Port Cleaning Facility today, to allow more time for consultation with Transport Malta to take place.

Transport Malta, the regulator responsible from ensuring that Malta abides to international safety conventions, was not consulted in the processing of the application. The authority was also absent from today’s meeting.

Nationalist MP Ryan Callus pointed out that the feedback of Transport Malta was necessary and went on to propose a postponement of the decision to wait for consultations with Transport Malta.

A 30-year concession agreement was signed with Ricasoli Port Facility Limited, which is owned by Falzon Waste Oils, in January 2013.

MEPA chairman Vince Cassar also hinted that tank cleaning could take place on “floating facilities”.

The developer, Falzon Waste Oils, was asked to present contracts signed with government.

The tank facility, located in the fort's ditch, included the construction of a new broiler house, a waste treatment plant, a spill containment area and new offices.

The planning directorate was recommending a refusal because the local plan calls for the relocation of the facility from the historical fort “in the long term” and bans any intensification of development on the site. The local plan however allows improvements related to safety and security.

The case officer said that initially they sought government direction but no such direction was given and they decided to adhere to existing local plan policies.

Falzon Waste Oils was awarded a 30-year concession by the previous government in Ricasoli. The site was previously leased to Malta Drydocks. The upgrades foreseen in application were foreseen in the tender awarded to the company to respect international conventions which oblige Malta to have a tank cleaning facility adhering to international conventions.

MEPA board member Victor Axiaq asked an upgrade was being requested given that the plant was already meeting the necessary requirements on the treatment of waster water.

The MEPA however heard an expert argue that the standards were only being met due to the fact that the equipment was being used on a trial period.

“The upgrade will make this pilot project permanent,” the expert said.

Michael Sant, an official from the Environment Protection Directorate, confirmed that in absence of a permit for the proposed upgrade, the plant will not meet the standards and would not be able to cater for a spill that could end up damaging the fort.

The developer’s architect presented photomontages to show how the new development would represent an improvement as regards the impact on the Fort.  

He argued that application conformed to the local plan as it was meant to improve safety and security. He also argued that the application did not increase the size of the offices and the operations: “The application is simply meant to adhere to replace structures build in 1967 to meet new standards.”

The architect also proposed that the permit he issued for only 30 years. The period would be used to find an alternative suitable place for relocation.

The contract signed with previous government also stipulated consent for the proposed development on the site.