Category: Press Releases

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) Board has approved the renewal of the IPPC permit for Poligas Ltd., located in Luqa, during a public meeting that was held today, 25th March 2022.
The application process included consultation with a number of statutory consultees as well as a public consultation as required by the IPPC Regulations.

The renewal of the IPPC permit covers the activities related to the production of acetylene via a chemical process. The installation has been covered by an IPPC permit since 2012.

The permit takes into account 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, management of waste, fire-fighting measures as well as monitoring of operations.

All public consultation documents are available on the ERA website here.

25 March 2022

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has committed €500,000 to six environmental projects supported through the Better Environment in our Local Urban Spaces (BELLUS) call.

This was announced by Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia, together with ERA Acting CEO Kevin Mercieca.

The Minister explained that the projects were evaluated according to the effects of the projects on the environment and the community as a whole.

Minister Farrugia reiterated that the government continues to invest in both the natural and rural environment of the Maltese islands while prioritising the wellbeing and quality of life of all families. “Green projects, especially those that are innovative and sustainable, are more important than ever. We are continuing to invest in the people and in the future, and we are inviting public entities and voluntary organisations to join us in creating a better Malta,” he said.

The six selected projects relate to environmental improvements and restoration in rural and urban areas in several localities. They will involve greening, educational and environmental management projects for the benefit of the public, students and the environment, namely through the following initiatives:

• Don Bosco Foundation – Green Living Hub Malta – will renovate one of their facilities in a rural area and turn it into a green living hub.
• St John Rescue Corps – Regeneration of a reservoir – Fort Madliena – will see the restoration of Fort Madliena Water reservoir, maintenance to water channels and well sump pits to ensure the free flow of rainwater into the reservoir.
• MCAST – Green Access – will see the 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 – will see the 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 – KATTAR: A collective effort for a resilient environment – will focus on the 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. This project will also see the distribution of planting material and plants to FKNK members and Local Councils in the West and North of mainland Malta.
• St Augustine College – Ecology education @ St Augustine College – will address the regeneration of the St Augustine College Pietà garden (called Cassiciacum Garden) open area, together with two areas on the roof as possible roof gardens, with the aim to engage students and raise environmental awareness.

ERA Acting CEO Kevin Mercieca said that the BELLUS projects aim to serve as a catalyst to promote the improvement of national environmental conditions, awareness and wellbeing, bringing nature back to our cities, towns and villages through green initiatives and the application of nature-based solutions with activities aimed to implement more green spaces within public areas.

9 March 2022

During three public meetings held today the 18^th of February 2022, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) Board has approved the variation of the IPPC permit for the Delimara PowerStation (IP 0002/21), located at Delimara, proposals regarding an application for a multi-storey mixed-use development in St Julians [EA 00046/18 (PA 02470/16 & PA 06097/20)], and the second phase of redevelopment of the Ramla Bay Hotel [PA 02943/19 (EA 00028/19)].

Regarding IP 0002/21:

The application regards the variation of the IPPC permit for the Delimara PowerStation (IP 0002/21). The application process included consultation with a number of statutory consultees as well as a public consultation as required by the IPPC Regulations.

The variation and renewal of the IPPC permit covers a number of variations including but not limited to the transfer of fuel to third parties and the addition of emission points to air from medium combustion plants. The installation has been covered by an IPPC permit since 2010.

The permit takes into account 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 prior to release into the environment.

Regarding EA 00046/18 (PA 02470/16 & PA 06097/20):

The proposal regards an application for a multi-storey mixed-use development in St Julians. In 2018, ERA had requested an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in line with the EIA Regulations (S.L. 549.46). The EIA Report on which the Directorate based its assessment was submitted to ERA on 13 October 2021. The Directorate’s assessment took into account the conclusions of the EIA Report, as well as the comments received from the public concerned following a 30-day public consultation.

The impacts and risks identified in the EIA Report during the construction phases were considered to be of low adverse significance, and as long as works adhere to the Environmental Management Construction Site Regulations (S.L. 552.09), the identified environmental impacts would be mitigated further. From a Waste management perspective there was a requirement for the submission of a waste management plan for eventual review by ERA.

Impacts and risks associated with the operational phase were also considered to be of low adverse significance, apart from impacts on the surrounding areas from shading and in terms of visual amenity due to the presence of the tall building affecting both short- and long-distance views, which are of higher adverse significance. Such impacts are inherently linked to the nature of the development, being a high-rise tower, a known concern from the outset.

Other impacts, of minor significance, assessed to occur during operations of the development, mainly relate to emissions from additional traffic generation and changes to the wind microclimate surrounding the proposed building, which may affect the pedestrian comfort at the surrounding public spaces.

Mitigation measures include the implementation of a Green Travel Plan, aimed at reducing traffic generation, and the carrying out of a wind study for the fine-tuning of the final design of the proposed tower, to avoid deterioration of the wind microclimate.

In the light of the findings of the assessment, the Directorate did not object to the proposal whilst noting that the afore-mentioned aspects in terms of the Green Travel Plan, microclimate and waste management need to be considered as reserved matters. This conclusion was made on the understanding that stringent mitigation measures and pre-emptive safeguards will be implemented throughout both the construction and operation of the proposed development.

The Final Assessment was referred to the ERA Board for a decision in public in line with the EIA Regulations (S.L. 549.46). The decision taken by the ERA Board on 18^th February 2022 was that the Final Assessment put forward was being agreed to and a vote in favour was taken.

Regarding EA 00028/19 (PA 02943/19)

The proposal in caption is the second phase of redevelopment of the Ramla Bay Hotel at Marfa and follows an earlier partial redevelopment of the seaward part of the resort.

This proposal (Phase 2) has been assessed by ERA through the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process in line with the EIA Regulations (S.L. 549.46). The development was also subject to an Appropriate Assessment (AA) in accordance with the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Regulations (S.L. 549.44).

The Directorate’s assessment took into account the conclusions of the EIA and AA Reports, as well as the comments received from the public concerned following a 30-day public consultation. After its assessment of the proposal, also taking into account the consultants’ evaluation, the Directorate did not object to this proposal, but noted that there are outstanding considerations regarding impacts on landscape and visual amenity which need to be addressed.

In view of the above considerations, the Directorate recommended that:

1. Improved attention is given to minimisation of dominance of the building, especially as perceived from panoramic viewpoints (including the Ċirkewwa main road i.e., viewpoint 8, where the impact is considered more than minor adverse).
2. The Alang Alang building located on the shore is reduced in height.
3. Development is to be contained within the already committed site boundary, avoiding/removing structures/encroachment onto adjacent rural land; and
4. The area east of the hotel (including garigue and rocky coast) is to be restored. In this regard, the ERA is requesting a Restoration Method Statement (RMS).

This conclusion was made on the understanding that stringent mitigation measures and pre-emptive safeguards will be implemented throughout both construction and operation of the proposed development. Specifically, proposed mitigation measures include the reuse of soil in the landscaping; reuse of excavated rock as general fill on-site; hard surfaced areas to be designed with permeable surfaces, to facilitate water infiltration and sustainable drainage and the implementation of a lighting plan. In this regard, a number of conditions are being recommended for inclusion in the development permit.

The Final Assessment by the Directorate was referred to the ERA Board for a decision in public in line with the EIA Regulations (S.L. 549.46). The decision taken by the ERA Board on 18^th February 2022 was that the Final Assessment put forward by the Directorate was being agreed to and a vote in favour was taken.

18 February 2022

A public consultation on the draft ‘Guidelines for Good Forestation Practices for the Maltese Islands’ has been launched by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) and the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning.

This was announced by Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia in the presence of ERA acting CEO Kevin Mercieca.
The minister explained that these guidelines aim to provide a general guide for successful and functional tree-planting projects in natural, rural, and urban environments, looking at forestation from a holistic perspective with the end target of assuring the greater success of such projects. These draft guidelines highlight the full process of how a forestation project should be addressed from concept to design, implementation, and eventual long-term sustainable management of such sites.

Minister Farrugia emphasised the importance of not only implementing afforestation projects, but properly maintaining them. “These forestation projects and their upkeep for the further greening of the islands will also enhance the environment and create more spaces for the enjoyment and benefit of the public. This document will provide a quick guide in the form of practical pointers, recommendations and a checklist of general codes of good practice to enable a successful tree-planting initiative in areas such as bare land, reforestation of areas previously covered with trees and habitat restoration to assist in the recovery of an ecosystem”, continued the minister.

The main objectives of the Guidelines are to:

• promote environmentally friendly and ecologically sound forestation practices;
• encourage greening and ecological restoration incentives in different areas using suitable species;
• establish common standards of good forestation practices, in line with complimentary legislation and policy;
• encourage ownership and long-term maintenance of forestation projects;
• Support the implementation of the National Trees and Woodlands Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2030; and
• support Malta’s commitment and efforts in climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The general public and interested stakeholders are invited to take note of the draft Guidelines and provide feedback on its content on [email protected], by not later than 29th  March 2022.

Further information can be viewed from the following here.

15 February 2022