Momentum puts forward proposals to protect Malta’s open spaces

During a number of recent Momentum’s public consultations, Vision Circle, citizens and environmental experts discussed the current state of Malta’s open spaces. Many expressed concern that Malta is losing its natural and cultural heritage, stripping communities of vital spaces for recreation, health, and identity. Momentum warns that open spaces remain under constant threat from legal loopholes and weak enforcement. For example, ODZ areas are far from safe, with proposed laws set to legalise all illegal developments carried out up until last year.

Participants in the discussion put forward a series of practical proposals, including:

• A moratorium on high rises, and new buildings in ODZ areas
• A revision of local plans to prioritise the environment.
• A clear public land registry with mapped and signposted country pathways.
• Stricter planning, enforcement, and protection of public land from private interests.
• Strengthening the Environmental Protection Unit across Malta and Gozo, with more personnel and equipment such as drones and cameras, operating 24/7.
• Immediate removal of illegal encroachments on public land and piazzas.
• Reform of planning and environmental institutions to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Ending the practice of turning agricultural land into solar farms.
• Installing adequate lighting that limits light pollution so our natural open spaces can be enjoyed at night.
• Promoting vertical farming to reduce pesticide use and conserve water, offering an innovative solution to food production challenges.
  

Katya Compagno said, “Momentum is committed to going beyond vague promises. Open spaces are not luxuries but essential to Malta’s future. They are where children play, where elderly people rest, where nature finds refuge, and where our fond memories reside. If we want a Malta worth passing on, we must act now.”

Momentum will continue working with NGOs, farmers, and communities to defend Malta’s common good and ensure that open spaces remain for future generations.

Momentum tressaq proposti biex tipproteġi l-ispazji miftuħa ta’ Malta

Waqt waħda mill-konsultazzjonijiet pubbliċi ta’ Momentum, Vision Circle, ċittadini u esperti ambjentali ddiskutew l-istat attwali tal-ispazji miftuħa ta’ Malta. Ħafna esprimew tħassib li Malta qed titlef il-wirt naturali u kulturali tagħha, u qed tiċċaħħad lill-komunitajiet spazji vitali għar-rikreazzjoni, is-saħħa, u l-identità. Momentum iwissi li l-ispazji miftuħa għadhom taħt theddida kostanti minn loopholes legali u infurzar dgħajjef. Pereżempju, iż-zoni ODZ mhumiex siguri, bil-liġijiet proposti li se jillegalizzaw l-iżviluppi illegali kollha mwettqa sas-sena l-oħra.

Il-parteċipanti fid-diskussjoni ressqu serje ta’ proposti prattiċi, inklużi:

• Moratorju fuq bini għoli, u bini ġdid f’żoni ODZ
• Reviżjoni tal-pjanijiet lokali biex jipprijoritizzaw l-ambjent.
• Reġistru tal-artijiet pubbliċi ċar b’mogħdijiet tal-kampanja indikati sew fuq mappi u sinjali.
• Ippjanar, infurzar, u protezzjoni aktar stretti tal-art pubblika minn interessi privati.
• Tisħiħ tal-Environmental Protection Unit madwar Malta u Għawdex, b’aktar impjegati u tagħmir bħal drones u kameras, li joperaw 24/7.
• Tneħħija immedjata ta’ strutturi illegali fuq art pubblika u pjazez.
• Riforma tal-istituzzjonijiet tal-ippjanar u ambjentali biex tiġi żgurata t-trasparenza u r-responsabbiltà.
• Tmiem tal-prattika li l-art agrikola tinbidel f’irziezet solari.
• Installazzjoni ta’ dawl adegwat li jillimita t-tniġġis tad-dawl sabiex l-ispazji miftuħa naturali tagħna jkunu jistgħu jitgawdew bil-lejl.
• Promozzjoni tal-biedja vertikali biex jitnaqqas l-użu tal-pestiċidi u jiġi kkonservat l-ilma, filwaqt li tiġi offruta soluzzjoni innovattiva għall-isfidi tal-produzzjoni tal-ikel.

Katya Compagno qalet, “Momentum huwa impenjat li jmur lil hinn minn wegħdiet vagi. L-ispazji miftuħa mhumiex lussu iżda essenzjali għall-futur ta’ Malta. Huma fejn it-tfal jilagħbu, fejn l-anzjani jistrieħu, fejn in-natura ssib kenn, u fejn jgħixu l-memorji sbieħ tagħna. Jekk irridu Malta li nistgħu ngħaddu lill-ġenerazzjoni ta’ warajna, irridu naġixxu issa.”

Momentum se tkompli taħdem ma’ NGOs, bdiewa, u komunitajiet biex tiddefendi l-ġid komuni ta’ Malta u tiżgura li l-ispazji jibqgħu miftuħa għall-ġenerazzjonijiet futuri.

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