PM says high-rise applications ‘will not necessarily be accepted’

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has said that although it is important to address whether high-rises are the way forward given the space limitations Malta faces, the current applications for such buildings will not necessarily be accepted.

Writing in an opinion piece for Sunday’s Kull Hadd newspaper, Muscat said that the government was currently being attacked and questioned for a number of applications, but that these applications would not necessarily be supported by the government.

Presently, the Planning Authority is considering a 38-storey residential block and a 40-storey hotel in Sliema, a new 24 storey tower in Gzira and a financial centre proposed by the Gasan and Tumas Groups comprising 16, 18, 20 and 14 storeys in Mriehel. Moreover, a number of high-rise towers are being proposed in Paceville, including two residential towers proposed on the site occupied by the Institute of Tourism Studies, which is being given as a concession to the SeaBank group. 

Muscat ahs explained that although the government had expressed its commitment to not plan any developments on ODZs, the decision would not ultimately mean that all development would stop.

“Freezing development is not realistic and we have to decide whether high-rises are the investment model of the future in light of the spatial restrictions,” Muscat said.

Muscat added that the government was making sure not to undermine the country’s biodiversity by making sure that no further developments take place outside local plans.

“The MEPA demerger and subsequent creation of the Environment and Resources Authority, is another part of our efforts to give environmental protection more autonomy and strength,” Muscat said, adding that the government was committed to creating policies and projects alongside green NGOs.

In the piece, Muscat spoke about the achievements of the current government in preserving and safeguarding the environment, and he stresses that however “clumsily” some issues were handled, the current government had not exploited the environment as badly as the previous PN administration.

Muscat explained that the government had made it its mission to provide better air quality in the country, starting with the closing up of the Msida power station and the decision to guarantee cleaner energy (and cheaper bills) through the BWSC power plant.

Works on converting the BWSC power plant to make use of gas instead of heavy fuel oil to generate electricity started last month and according to timeframes announced in December 2014 by then-energy minister Konrad Mizzi, Malta will be making use of gas-generated electricity in June 2016.

The BWSC plant – which is to be converted to gas by Shangahi Electric Power – is expected to generate 30% of Malta’s required electricity. The remaining 50% and 30% would be provided by the ElectroGas consortium and the interconnector respectively.

Another cog in the government’s efforts to provide cleaner air, was the creation of a more “efficient and adequate” public transport system, Muscat continues.

Muscat went on to state that the government was hopeful that its policies addressing the use of ground water, would signify that aquifers get replenished by the time “our children grow up”. He further urged a greater civic spirit in society in general to ensure a cleaner environment in general and to continue working towards recycling methods to preserve the environment.