Press Releases Archives - Page 11 of 35

The Environment and Resources Authority is launching a public consultation on the introduction of mandatory waste separation at source for everyone, including government entities, households, businesses and other organisations.

To date, there are no legal obligations to separate waste at source, resulting in a significant share of recyclable waste resources being disposed of as mixed residual waste (i.e. in the black bag). The Waste Management Plan for Malta 2021 – 2030 identifies the establishment of mandatory waste separation as a key measure to increase recycling efforts and the quality of recyclable material, as well as to decrease the amount of waste being landfilled, in line with EU commitments.

The proposed mandatory waste separation regulations will be a major environmental step forward for Malta, in its effort to promote increased waste recycling and to drastically reduce mixed waste to landfills by 2035. Mandatory waste separation will also lead to improved cleanliness in residential areas and commercial districts, by providing the required educational campaigns and legal framework to discourage irregular dumping of waste bags in public areas, such as pavements.

Voluntary waste separation by households has become increasingly popular in recent years, as record levels of separated waste collection were registered in 2021. However, local councils, e-NGOs and other stakeholders have been calling for mandatory waste separation regulations to rapidly boost recycling rates and to consolidate the management and enforcement of waste collection.

Two legal notices are being proposed with the aim of introducing the mandatory separation at source requirements within national legislation, namely the Waste (Amendment) Regulations, and the Abandonment, Dumping and Disposal of Waste in Streets and Public Places of Areas (Amendment) Regulations. These regulations will be introduced in conjunction with a nationwide, six-month educational campaign, to make sure that the public is adequately informed before they come in force.

Enforcement of the new regulations by ERA and other entities will be carried out gradually, to allow for a period of adaptation, whilst also raising awareness about these new environmental obligations.

The draft regulations can be downloaded from era.org.mt. ERA invites all stakeholders to submit their feedback to these proposals by email on [email protected], by Monday, 5th December 2022.

08 November 2022

Dr. Godwin Cassar and Mr. Vincent Gauci are this year’s awardees of the ERA’s prestigious Buonamico Award.

The Buonamico Award is a yearly award-giving ceremony held under the patronage of H.E. The President of Malta, which distinguishes individuals whose actions and achievements benefited our biodiversity and the environment.

This prestigious award has been inspired by Malta’s first naturalist, Giovanni Francesco Buonamico, who had recognized the importance of our natural environment in the 17th century. His varied intellectual interests resulted in the writing of at least four important manuscripts on natural history including the first flora of the Maltese Islands, the so-called “Brevis Notitia” manuscripts which acted as the basis for today’s modern reference books.

Buonamico’s role was pivotal for an environmental regulator’s perspective, with scientific evidence based work as the basis of all decision taking measures, to assure correct implementation to safeguard the Environment from a legislative perspective.

This year, the ERA board has chosen two distinguished members of the public who’s role had contributed towards the protection and the betterment of the Maltese environment.

Dr Godwin Cassar, who served for several decades within the public service and contributed in a significant manner, advocating the need for comprehensive spatial planning, is one of the recipient of this year’s Buonamico Award. He was instrumental in the late-1980s and 1990s in pioneering the establishment of the Planning Authority, later to be known as the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA). He spearheaded the formulation of a comprehensive Structure Plan for the Maltese Islands, Local Plans and several urban development and regeneration briefs.

Godwin was born in Valletta in 1948 and graduated as an Architect from the University of Malta in 1971. After two years in private practice, he spent thirty-five years in the public service, twelve of which were in public-sector housing development and a short spell of two-and-a-half years in roads development. Between 1987-1992 the focus of all his initiatives was the establishment of an effective up-to-date and comprehensive land-use planning system, including the development of a legislative, institutional and policy base incorporating a ‘state of the art’ national mapping function.

With the Works Department reform in 1992, he assumed the Directorship of the Planning Services Department which was subsequently hived off in October 1992 to become the Planning Authority where he was appointed Director of Planning/Chief Executive. Subsequent to the incorporation in 2000 of the then Environment Directorate within the Planning Authority which then became known as the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) he was appointed as its Director General which post he held until his retirement in 2009.

Godwin is a Chartered Town Planner and Architect and Civil Engineer by profession. He graduated as Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Malta in 1971, completed a postgraduate diploma at the Bowcentrum International Education (Rotterdam) in Housing, Planning & Building in 1975 and was a 1991 Salzburg Fellow. He was elected Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute in January 1996 and in April of the same year he was elected Fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

In July 1998 he was awarded the Honorary Doctorate by the Central University of England (Birmingham). Moreover, he served as a member of several local and international committees amongst which are the Senior Committee of Officials European Conference of Ministers responsible for Regional Planning (CEMAT); Chairman Minerals Advisory Board; member of the National Commission for Sustainable Development; member of the Church Commission on Cultural Heritage and member of the EU expert group on Urban Environment.

Godwin is also the recipient of the Planning Authority’s 2019 President’s Award for ‘Outstanding achievement for services related to the Architectural and Spatial Planning’.

Mr. Vincent Gauci has also been awarded the prestigious Buonamico Award this year. Mr Gauci graduated in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Malta in 1967. The following year, he was awarded a World Health Organisation scholarship to read Applied Hydrobiology at the University of London. A year later, he was awarded a Masters Degree with a mark of Distinction.

Mr. Gauci started his carrier in the Public Service as a Water Bacteriologist in connection with the World Health Organisation Project on Waste Disposal and Water Supply. From 1983 to 1997, he carried out pioneer work in the field of liquid and solid waste treatment. Mr Gauci participated in several activities both locally and abroad in connection with the Mediterranean Action Plan.

As Director of the Environment Protection Department (EPD) during the period 1997 to 2002, he was responsible for biodiversity protection, pollution control and waste management. He drafted legislation, advised Government on environmental matters and formed part of official delegations in connection with Malta’s accession to the European Union. Following the merger between the EPD and the Planning Authority in 2002, Mr. Gauci was appointed Assistant Director in the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA), responsible inter alia for waste management regulation and environmental impact assessment.

Following his retirement from the Public Service in 2008, Mr. Gauci acted as an environmental consultant as well as a lecturer at the University of Malta, MCAST, Water Services Corporation and Wasteserv Malta Ltd.

ERA Chairman, Prof. Victor Axiak, thanked the nominees for their invaluable contributions to the environment and their exemplary role in protecting the environment through their outstanding knowledge and commitment.

Both His Excellency Dr. George Vella, the President of Malta and Professor Victor Axiak, ERA’s Chairman, congratulated the winners and their families, whilst thanking them for their priceless efforts towards the environment and for bravely spearheading initiatives that started to bring about societal change within Malta and amongst the Maltese.

For the FB live video click here.

15 October 2022

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) approved an application for an IPPC permit for a new by-product treatment facility to reduce and reuse waste generated by the aquaculture industry.

This facility, the first of its kind in Malta, will reduce fish farms waste in Maltese waters, by processing by-products, specifically tuna offal from the harvest process, into fish meal and fish oil. Such facilities further contribute towards a circular system with minimal to zero waste generation, whilst augmenting the environmental sustainability of this important sector of Malta’s blue economy.

After the Planning Authority approved the development of this facility in March 2021, this year its operators, Aquaculture Resources Ltd, applied for the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) permit required to operate it. The ERA Board approved this application during a public meeting on Friday.

The IPPC permit considers the holistic environmental performance of the installation and ascertains that the operations are undertaken in line with Best Available Techniques that are available for such operations. Furthermore, the permit takes into consideration all the aspects of the operations including emissions to air, discharges, management of waste, monitoring of operations as well as monitoring of pollutants, to make sure they are adequately managed and where applicable, mitigated.

Before determining this application, ERA consulted statutory bodies and launched a public consultation, as required by the IPPC Regulations. No objections to this application were received. All relevant documentation is publicly available on the ERA ERIS platform.

27 September 2022

New regulations declaring Il-Ponta tal-Qawra as a new nature reserve were published on Tuesday, to protect this site’s biodiversity in a coastal area popular for walking and swimming.

Through these regulations, the importance of this site’s biodiversity is being recognised. The legal framework provides the necessary protection required to preserve it for future generations.

Il-Ponta tal-Qawra, also known as Qawra Point, is a small peninsula off Qawra, in St Paul’s Bay. It is an area of ecological importance due to its coastal communities and migratory species. Its habitats include maritime plant and animal species that are native or endemic to the Maltese Islands. The area is also a major route for various waterbirds and waders, particularly due to its vicinity to protected wetlands and other important bird staging posts, including Is-Simar, Is-Salini, l-Għadira s-Safra and the Għallis Rocks, as well as the St Paul’s Islands Nature Reserve, further north. Besides its natural significance, the site also holds interesting cultural heritage features, including concentric rings carved in the rock.

The new regulations under the Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549) declare this site as a Nature Reserve, providing for the conservation of biodiversity, landscape and related natural features, while regulating and minimising any adverse impacts so that its unique natural features are duly protected and enriched. In this regard, the regulations prohibit commercial activities without permits, physical modifications to the site as well as exploitation of its wildlife, such as cutting, picking, trapping, hunting and sale of flora and fauna. As in all other nature reserves, dumping of chemical substances or waste, igniting open fires, causing excessive noise or light and releasing non-native alien species in this area is disallowed as well.

The Qawra Point peninsula, almost completely encircled by the sea, is in an area that is very popular for leisure walking and bathing. In this regard, the nature reserve will remain open to the public, provided that it is not accessed with motor vehicles. Notwithstanding such restrictions, selected activities may be allowed subject to a permit from the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA), following an appropriate assessment of potential impacts and applicable mitigation measures.

The new regulations will be implemented by the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA), with the support of the Police Force. Anyone caught infringing these new regulations will be liable to severe penalties, including fines starting from €750 or imprisonment for up to two years, depending on the type of contravention.

20 September 2022

In a public meeting on the 9th September 2022, the ERA Board approved the impact assessment reports in relation to the demolition and redevelopment of the Mellieħa Bay Hotel.

The Board noted that the development had improvements made from the initial submissions. It is confined to the area already occupied by the existing built development and its ancillary landscaping and infrastructure. Moreover, by requesting the developers to shift the development away from the coast, and additional changes, about 4,500 m2 will be restored to its original state and returned to the public, also shifting the development away from the coast, allowing for its restoration.

The approved position, and the detailed conditions tied to it, will be forwarded to the Planning Authority as ERA’s formal recommendation on the case.

9 September 2022

The Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) have launched the National Strategy for the Environment 2050 for public consultation.

A first for Malta, the National Strategy for the Environment (NSE) defines the core objectives of the country’s future actions, policy plans and investments for a better quality of life, a healthier, sustainable environment and a climate-neutral economy.

The strategy focuses on eight strategic goals, namely clean air, quality neighbourhoods, zero waste, sustainable water resources, flourishing seas, resilient land resources, thriving biodiversity and enabling the green transition.

Addressing the launch of the public consultation, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli explained that this is not just a strategy for the government. “This is a strategy for a nation. It spells out the rights and duties of everyone – individuals, localities, the public sector, voluntary organisations and the private sector – as we work together to tackle our principal environmental challenges today, so that we and our children can enjoy healthier, more sustainable lifestyles in the next three decades.”

“We want everyone to have their say and participate in this consultation. The final strategy must truly belong to us all, because only together we can give our country a greener future,” stated Minister Dalli.

She continued that the Government is already working to attain the strategy’s goals. “We are investing in decarbonisation with multi-million schemes for new renewable energy systems and incentives for electric vehicles and low-energy buildings. Earlier this year we announced Malta’s greatest ever public investment in parks, public gardens and other green spaces in our localities. We are also introducing more measures to reduce waste to landfills and to reuse and recycle. The planning of the Ecohive waste-to-energy project is at an advanced stage as well,” Minister Dalli explained.

The NSE is derived from the ‘Wellbeing First Vision for Malta’s Environment 2050’, which was adopted in November 2020. The NSE translates this vision into more specific strategic goals and objectives for the next 30 years. This strategy was drafted by ERA following an extensive consultation process with over 60 stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, the business community and the voluntary sector.

Kevin Mercieca, ERA’s Acting CEO, stated that the Authority will be focusing on the implementation of this strategy. “The NSE addresses the key drivers behind our national environmental challenges, pushing for sustainable economic growth whilst laying out what can enable the required green transition through a range of effective policy responses.”

The NSE consultation document and other related details are available at https://era.org.mt/nse2050/.

ERA invites the public to participate in this consultation process by sending feedback by email on [email protected], until Friday, 21st October 2022.

7 September 2022

St John Rescue Corps to receive financial support to restore a large 137ft reservoir which can hold some 660,000 litres of rainwater.

The first environmental regeneration project under the BELLUS call operated by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has been launched. With an investment of around €61,000 a reservoir in Fort Madliena operated by the St John Rescue Corps (SJRC) will be restored.

BELLUS – Better Environment in Our Local Urban Spaces – is a call funded by the Environment Fund of ERA. A total of €500,000 have been allocated for the call issued last year. Six projects were shortlisted, qualifying for a maximum grant of €100,000.

The project submitted by SJRC will see a much-needed stage 1 routine maintenance of a large 137ft reservoir. The reservoir can hold up to 660,000 litres of rainwater. Through this restoration, volunteers of the SRJC will use the collected rainwater to top up the fire engines in case of grass and industrial fires, and to irrigate the nearby vegetation within the fort.

This project was launched by Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli and Kevin Mercieca, Acting CEO of the Environment and Resource Authority (ERA).

The restoration works will involve the careful removal and disposal of the contaminated water in the reservoir, together with silt and debris settled at the bottom, hand cleaning of rock surface and power washing of inner walls and floor, the sealing of cracks and fissures and re-plastering with appropriate water-proofing methodology to prevent loss of future collected water. Other proposed works on site will include the careful removal of existing invasive vegetation which roots are damaging the structure of the reservoir.

During a visit to Fort Madliena, Minister Miriam Dalli explained that this investment will help in reusing rainwater sustainably.

“Sustainability is an essential part of each and every project. With this project, rainwater will be used to water trees and plants surrounding the Fort. But not only, as this restoration will also help St John Rescue Corps to fill up their fire trucks when their support is needed to fight fire, decreasing the impact on groundwater extraction“, Minister Miriam Dalli explained.

St John Rescue Corps Chief Operations Andrew Grech said that “St John Rescue Corps have been based at this fort for the past 35 years and we always felt the need to take care of this historic building with military architecture. In practice this project will assist in our operations, to be more efficient whilst enhancing the environment and decreasing the impact on the environment through operations and water usage.”

All these works will be closely monitored and followed-up with consultations with ERA and any other relevant entities involved.

Additional Information:

The BELLUS Call issued under the Environment Fund aims at fulfilling ERA’s goals by improving environmental conditions and raise environmental awareness.

Six projects have been chosen for funding under the BELLUS:

St John Rescue Corps – Restoration of Fort Madliena Water reservoir, maintenance to water channels and well sump pits to ensure the free flow of rainwater into the reservoir.
Don Bosco Foundation – Renovate one of their facilities and turn it into a green living hub.
MCAST – Installation of 300 sqm extensive green roof on top of the new MCAST Resource Centre building.
Żejtun Local Council – Embellishment of Ġebel San Martin Ring Road and restoration of rubble walls to preserve water in reservoirs, prevent soil erosion and flooding, protect biodiversity, and will also include the installation of benches, bins, and road lighting.
Federation for Hunting and Conservation: Propagation of local trees, shrubs, and plants in existing nurseries at Buskett, as well as raising awareness through the involvement of the public in hands-on planting and the provision of seeds to interested citizens in a controlled manner.
St Augustine College – Regeneration of the college’s garden, together with two areas on the roof as possible roof gardens, with the aim to engage students and raise environmental awareness.

5 August 2022

A €170,000 investment by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) in a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) was launched to further strengthen enforcement in maritime activities. The RHIB was inaugurated in the presence of Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli and the Environment and Resource Authority Acting CEO Kevin Mercieca.

“This €170,000 investment will enable ERA to increase its autonomy and strengthen its surveillance and monitoring within Marine Protected Area and other commercial activities such as fish farms“, said Minister Miriam Dalli.

Minister Dalli urged the public to dispose of waste responsibly.

“In summer there’s an increase of waste disposal, especially near beaches due to increased activity at sea, and when waste is disposed of irresponsibly, it will end up on our beaches leaving a negative impact on marine life. Through this investment and enforcement, ERA will continue working with other entities to raise further awareness and reduce this impact on the marine environment“, said the minister.

ERA’s Acting CEO Kevin Mercieca explained that this investment will strengthen ERA’s role in assuring surveillance in sensitive zones which fall under the legal requirements imposed by law. When issuing permits for commercial activities at sea, ERA imposes several conditions to operators which are legally binding. These conditions for their operations are intended to ensure environment protection in such activities.

“In the past weeks, 20 ERA officials were trained to operate at sea and make the necessary inspections. ERA will now be able to monitor areas which could not be reached from land“, added Mr Mercieca.

The vessel is an Altamarea WAVE27 measuring an overall length of 8.45m and is equipped with two 150HP Yamaha engines. It weighs 1,250kgs, can accommodate up to 12 passengers and is capable of reaching speeds of over 40 knots.

30 July 2022

A turtle nesting site has been found at Ramla l-Ħamra in Gozo, making it the first recorded nest this season. Officers from the Environment and Resources Authority confirmed the turtle tracks, which were discovered early this morning by NTM Rescue Team, indicating that a turtle may have nested in the area.

ERA personnel together with Nature Trust Malta (NTM-FEE) confirmed that a turtle had laid its eggs. ERA will continue supporting NTM and the relevant stakeholders in order to ensure the protection of the nest. An Emergency Conservation Order will be issued.

The general public is encouraged to act responsibly. Excessive noise, trampling and light close to the nesting area may pose a threat to turtle eggs and any hatchlings.

ERA would like to thank the public for support and co-operation. Any observations of turtle activity or environmental illegality should be immediately reported to ERA on 22923500 or [email protected] or to NTM. NTM are sponsored by ERA to conduct animal rescues and rehabilitation around the Maltese islands.

Note on the species:

The loggerhead turtle (Maltese: il-fekruna l-komuni), scientifically known as Caretta caretta is a long-living, slowly maturing marine species that inhabits tropical to warm temperate areas. This species is classified as globally endangered by the World Conservation Area (IUCN) and is also protected by various national and international legislation. Capturing, killing, taking, and trading these turtles, as well as the deliberate disturbance of these species, particularly during the period of breeding, rearing and migration, is prohibited and subject to legal action. Even the destruction of eggs or taking of eggs from the wild is strictly prohibited and constitutes a criminal offence. In fact, the national ‘Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations’ impose a minimum fine of nearly €500 and going up to nearly €2400 for each egg that may be destroyed or taken from the wild. The area where the loggerhead turtles has laid its eggs is also a protected area under the Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549) and a Natura 2000 site through the EU Habitats Directive.

19 July 2022

Ramla nesting2_Photo Credit NTM_Wildlife Rescue Team

The ERA Board has approved the final assessment on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Appropriate Assessment (AA) for the redevelopment of the hotel and bungalows at San Niklaw Bay and Santa Marija Bay, in Comino.

The decision comes after the applicants made several modifications to their plans as requested by the ERA, including a reduction of the originally proposed footprint and containment of the development within the current built envelope.

The final assessment was approved during the ERA Board meeting on 15th July 2022, following a thorough analysis, discussions, and the implementation of requested changes to the original documents pertaining to this development application (PA 04777/20).

ERA’s final assessment will now be referred to the Planning Authority (PA) who will assess the proposal further and take a final decision on the respective application for development permission.

Following discussions with the ERA, the developers made amendments to their plans, including, reducing the proposed project’s footprint by 5,000m2 – almost the size of a football pitch. In fact, the most significant change from the existing scenario especially at the hotel site at San Niklaw is the restoration of land closer to the coast by shifting the building envelope inland, thus reducing the footprint at San Niklaw.

Amongst the additional changes requested by the Authority, these include: the removal of 1 pier from the 2 that were initially proposed at Santa Marija; reducing the number of bungalows to 19; removing an outhouse pavilion and concierge pavilion and the rearrangement of associated footpaths. Back of house areas have been regrouped almost entirely over existing tennis courts.

In 2021, ERA requested an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) in line with the EIA Regulations (S.L. 549.46) and an Appropriate Assessment (AA) in accordance with the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Regulations (S.L. 549.44), in view of its location within Natura 2000 sites. The Authority received the EIA and AA Reports on 20th September 2021, both of which were published for a 30-day public consultation. Thus, ERA’s assessment considers the conclusions of the EIA and AA Reports, as well as the comments received from the public concerned following consultation.

Background information:

Proposed development description: – PA 04777/20 – Proposes the demolition of an existing hotel at San Niklaw Bay and existing bungalows at Santa Marija Bay. The proposed development consists of part excavation and the construction of Class 3b Hotel (140 beds) at San Niklaw Bay area and individual serviced Bungalows (21 units) at Santa Marija Bay area with ancillary facilities and amenities including Spa (Class 3c), bars/lounges (Class 4c) and restaurants (Class 4d), upgrading the existing berthing facilities (Class 3d); construction of swimming pools; reservoirs; complete upgrade of the infrastructure systems and back of house facilities. Upgrading and reinstatement of the natural ecological and existing disturbed terrain in both San Niklaw and Santa Marija areas in accordance with the Gozo and Comino Local Plan.

15 July 2022

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