MEPA WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENCY'S ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA 03/01/2006 Advancing the climate change agenda on a global scale, developing the Urban, Air and Waste thematic strategies and reviewing the European Sustainable Development Strategy are among the main targets of the Austrian Presidency of the European Union.

STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2005 05/01/2006 During the months of November and December 2005, the Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) determined 875 applications.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE 05/01/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority is seeking comments from the public on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC).

ALTERED HEREDITY? A SEMINAR ON GMOs IN MALTA 09/01/2006 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) will be organising a one-day seminar on Wednesday 11th January 2006 addressing genetically modified organisms and the local scenario.

STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT INTRODUCED IN MALTESE LEGISLATION 09/01/2006 On December 30, 2005 the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment published the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Regulations (Legal Notice 418 of 2005).

PACKAGING, PACKAGING WASTE & PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY 12/01/2006 The POLLUTER PAYS PRINCIPLE (PPP) is a widely accepted principle that leads to better environmental management. In simple terms, the cost of pollution prevention and abatement is transferred from the tax-payer to the polluter.

MEPA OBTAINS EU FUNDS TO IMPROVE ENFORCEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL OBLIGATIONS 19/01/2006 MEPA's enforcement personnel, police officers, wardens, environmental NGOs, officials from various authorities and departments were brought together in the first of a series of workshops forming part of an EU funded project led by MEPA.

MEPA REMOVES AN ILLEGAL SCRAPYARD IN SIGGIEWI 19/01/2006 In a direct action which started at around six o'clock this morning, MEPA officers removed a number if derelict vehicles dumped illegally in a makeshift scrapyard in Siggiewi

MEPA SECURES EU FUNDS FOR PROTECTING HABITATS AND SPECIES 25/01/2006 A total of €400,000 were allocated by the EU Transitional Facility Programme for 2004 for an ambitious 18 months project aiming to improve Malta's capacity to achieve the goals set in both national and international legislation in the area of nature protection, particularly the EU Habitats and Birds Directives.

MEPA HOSTS INTERMETREX WORKSHOP 25/01/2006 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority is hosting the InterMETREX analysis workshop from Wednesday 25 to Friday 27 January 2006. This workshop will feature the self-assessments of the Partners from Malta, Krakow (Poland), Nicosia (Cyprus) and Sofia (Bulgaria). Partners are asked to assess their current practice against the METREX Practice Benchmark 2005, and to provide an explanation of their town planning competence, capability and process.

CLEANING OUR RURAL LANDSCAPE 25/01/2006 Two entities, MEPA and PARCs are working together in an concerted effort to clear the countryside and the rural landscape of litter and scrap.

MEPA CLEARS TWO ILLEGAL SCRAPYARDS 26/01/2006 Two illegal scarpyards were removed today by MEPA's Direct Action team.The first to be removed was one located at Triq il-Mithna corner with Qormi By-pass. At around 06:30hrs, MEPA officials accompanied by the Administrative Law Enforcement Team of the Police Force arrived on site.

MEPA APPROVES FORT CAMBRIDGE AREA DEVELOPMENT BRIEF 28/01/2006 The Government has endorsed the Fort Cambridge Area Development Brief following the approval of the Malta Environment & Planning Authority.

MEPA LAUNCHES STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2005 30/01/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority launched the State of the Environment Report 2005. The Prime Minister Dr. Lawrence Gonzi was presented with a copy of the report by Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment Perit George Pullicino.

STATISTICS FOR JANUARY 2006 06/02/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) determined 740 applications in January and received 883 new applications. The net pending caseload at the end of the month was 4,427.

REACTION TO AD's PRESS STATEMENT 08/02/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority would like to clarify that all the works that are currently being carried out on the site of the former Duke of Edinburgh Hotel are covered both by a Planning Control and Planning Development permit.

MEPA OBTAINS EU FUNDS TO "GREEN" NATIONAL BUDGET 09/02/2006 MEPA has obtained €200,000 from the EU Transitional Facility programme for a project entitled 'Building capacity to introduce the polluter pays principle through economic instruments to implement the EU environmental Acquis'.

MEPA CARRIES OUT DIRECT ACTION ON QRENDI SCRAPYARD 09/02/2006 The Malta Environment And Planning Authority removed at least 45 vehicles from an illegal scrap yard in Qrendi. The yard had been subject to enforcement action since 1997 during which time the owner of the site used to dump scrap vehicles on the site.

VALLETTA COMMUNITY RESPONDS FAVOURABLE TO MEPA INITIATIVE 15/02/2006 Over 500 air-conditioning units which were illegally affixed to the facades of Valletta buildings have been removed by their owners. A substantial number are also due to be removed as the applications are being processed.

EU RECONFIRMS GREEN POLICIES AND JOB LINKS 16/02/2006 Environmental policy "is not a job killer", but rather creates better quality jobs while also promoting social inclusion, according to an analysis by the European commission. The EU executive announced the report last week, though the document itself was completed in November.

SCHOOL COMPETITION: European pupils apply their creativity to highlight biodiversity 16/02/2006 In the first week of June, Europe celebrates Green Week which culminates in World Environment Day on June 5th. This year's Green Week will focus on biodiversity.

"PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT IN MALTA" 21/02/2006 A seminar aimed at stimulating and improving the co-operation between MEPA and various NGO's was held on Tuesday 21st February. The seminar was entitled "Protecting the Environment in Malta"

REVIEW OF TA' QALI ACTION PLAN 22/02/2006 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority is issuing for public consultation revisions to the Ta' Qali Action Plan of 2000. This is being done to address changing circumstances in the sector of convention centers and to accommodate new land uses within the boundary of the Ta' Qali Action Plan

EU INTRODUCES NEW MEASURES TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY 22/02/2006 Introduces new measures to improve Air Quality air quality is threatened by pollution to the detriment of human health. As outlined in SOER 2005, air quality is a matter of concern due to its implications for human and ecosystem health, but also because of its pervasiveness - the difficulty of avoiding polluted air.

MEPA APPROVES CONTROLLED LANDFILL AT GHALLIES TA' GEWWA 23/02/2006 Approves controlled landfill at Ghallies ta' Gewwa the Malta Environment and Planning Authority today approved the development of a new engineered landfill at Ghallies ta' Gewwa. As a landfill it will not be conspicuous by its presence in the same way as the old Maghtab landrise.

STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY 2006 03/03/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) determined 734 applications in February and received 554 new applications. The net pending caseload at the end of the month was 4,219.

EUROPE FEELS THE HEAT AS A CLIMATE CHANGE TOPS THE LIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES 03/03/2006 Policy makers, businesses and individuals must act now on a range of environmental matters or pay a heavy price later. The four hottest years on record were 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Ten percent of Alpine glaciers disappeared during the summer of 2003 alone.

MEPA ACTION HALTS EMISSIONS FROM SLIEMA CAR PARK 09/03/2006 Early this week the Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) carried out an enforcement action at the Sliema Car Park in High Street.

MEPA SECURES EU FUNDS FOR AIR QUALITY 09/03/2006 In the coming weeks, MEPA expects a handsome delivery - two brand new air monitoring stations worth over Lm 200,000, while another station is expected to be procured by the end of the year.

MEPA RECEIVES EU FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT "GREEN" ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES 13/03/2006 Economic development can be beneficial to the environment, and environmental protection can drive economic objectives. Integrating environmental protection with economic growth is one of the challenges that environmental agencies around Europe are trying to address. "Greening" economic development programmes, including those funded by the EU Structural and Cohesion funds, is one way to do it.

MEPA APPROVES CONSTRUCTION OF SANDY BEACH IN BUGIBBA 22/03/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority has given its go-ahead for the development of a sandy beach at Dawret il-Gzejjer in St.Paul's Bay covering an area of around 2,000 square metres.

UNEP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR VISITS MEPA PREMISES 22/03/2006 The Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Dr. Klaus Toepfer was conferred with the degree of Honoris Causa in Science by the University of Malta.

EU FUNDS FOR MARINE SCIENTIFIC SURVEYS IN THE AREA AROUND FILFLA 29/03/2006 MEPA has embarked on a project which will result in the collection of rigorous scientific data required for the eventual protection of the marine waters around the island of Filfla. The unique way in which the geology of this islet is formed, combined with its isolation and exposure, gives rise to features that are unusual and may not be found anywhere else in the Maltese Islands.

MEPA APPROVES PLANS FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT AT CUMNIJA 30/03/2006 Malta Environment and Planning Authority today approved the full development application for the construction of an urban waste water treatment plant at Ic-Cumnija, L/O Mellieha. The application included the construction of an Urban Waste Water Treatment Plant, Intake Pumping Station, a Temporary Construction Camp, and adjoining access roads.

PLANNING STATISTICS SHOW STRONG TREND FOR RE-DEVELOPMENT 30/03/2006 Statistics show that re-development of committed sites is strongly on the increase. Statistics gathered from planning data indicate that in 2005, over 60% of permitted development is being carried out on previously developed land.

STATISTICS FOR MARCH 2006 04/04/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) determined 673 applications in March and received 772 new applications. The net pending caseload at the end of the month was 4,355.

MEPA PRESENTS COUNTER-REPLY IN COURT 06/04/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority stated that it is inconceivable that Bajja Development Ltd should request a warrant of prohibitory injunction against it as they were unable even to present any form of proof that the Authority was infringing their rights.

WIED TA' GHAJN RIHANA AND GEBEL SARNU Protected for Posterity 17/04/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority has approved the scheduling of the valley system of Wied ta' Ghajn Rihana and of the escarpment associated with the Victoria Lines Fault, in the areas of Gebel Sarnu and tat-Targa in San Pawl il-Bahar and just above the area known as ta' Benniena in Mosta.

STATISTICS FOR APRIL 2006 04/05/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) determined 596 applications in April and received 733 new applications. The net pending caseload at the end of the month was 4,580.

ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS IN MGARR IX-XINI 04/05/2006 A number of limestone blocks, dumped in a field in Mgarr ix-Xini, in Gozo were recently removed by the owner following immediate action by MEPA officers in Gozo. The site was away from an old pumping station. The action was taken following a complaint of illegal dumping on the site.

REVIEW OF LUQA PARK DEVELOPMENT BRIEF 17/05/2006 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority is issuing for public consultation revisions to the Luqa Park Development Brief, 2001. This brief is being amended in the light of a request by Wasteserv to site a civic amenity area within the brief area.

MEPA OBTAINS EU FUNDS FOR MARINE PROTECTION 25/05/2006 Mepa obtained €64,000 from the European Union to participate in a network of agencies involved in designating and managing of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Mediterranean. The fnds were obtained from the EU Interreg 3C programme

RATIONALISATION OF DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARIES - PUBLIC CONSULTATION 26/05/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority is issuing for public consultation the resultant rationalization of development zone boundaries. This exercise follows a Cabinet decision to address anomalies, whilst channeling urban development around existing development areas and minimising the take up of additional land.

LM40,000 COMMITTED TO THE RESTORATION OF BALCONIES 29/05/2006 MEPA is making available Lm40,000 in grants to help restore the timber balconies in properties in Siggiewi, Zejtun, Rabat(Gozo). The Timber Balcony Scheme will this year be made available also to all scheduled houses.

MEPA PUBLISHES RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVERNMENT ON REFUND MECHANISM FOR ECO-CONTRIBUTION 30/05/2006 The MEPA Board has approved the publication of a draft policy document dealing with "Authorisation/Registration of Schemes - Eco-Contribution Exemption/Refund Mechanism". The document makes proposals to Government on a framework within which Eco-Contribution refund mechanism could operate.

AN EYE ON THE ENVIRONMENT 02/06/2006 A media approach to the State of the Environment Report Over 140 children from nine schools in Malta and Gozo have been involved, these past few days in a project seeking to combine the disciplines of media education and the science of the State of the Environment Report.

MEPA BENEFITS FROM EU FUNDS TO PARTICIPATE IN A MEDITERREAN NETWORK 05/06/2006 MEPA has joined forces with other environmental agencies from Italy, Spain, Greece, Israel, Algeria and Morocco to work together and share experiences on management of protected areas.

STATISTICS FOR MAY 2006 14/06/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) determined 663 applications in May and received 679 new applications. The net pending caseload at the end of the month was 4,547.

MEPA SCHEDULES 17 PROPERTIES 21/06/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority has notified the owners of seventeen properties in Malta and Gozo that the site has been afforded the protection of scheduling.

STATISTICS FOR JUNE 2006 04/07/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) determined 596 applications in June and received 709 new applications. The net pending caseload at the end of the month was 4,678.

MEPA PROCESSES OVER 100 REQUESTS FOR TRADE IN FLORA AND FAUNA 13/07/2006 During the month of June the Nature Protection Unit (NPU) Inspectorate processed 95 applications to import or export flora and fauna specimens or parts and derivatives. In addition, the NPU Inspectorate issued a total of 12 CITES permits, certificates or EC Trade permits.

MEPA APPROVES EXTENSION OF ADDOLORATA CEMETERY 12/07/2006 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has approved an extension of approximately 20,000 sq. m. to the southern side of Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery.

MEPA RECEIVES FUNDS FROM UNEP FOR GMO MANAGEMENT 20/07/2006 Mepa received a grant of 116,000 US dollars from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to set up a framework for the management of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) at the national level.

CONCERTED DIRECT ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN DELIMARA 01/08/2006 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority this morning started a concerted direct action on illegal developments in Delimara.

STATISTICS FOR JULY 2006 04/08/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) determined 845 applications in July and received 609 new applications. The net pending caseload at the end of the month was 4,436.

LOCAL PLANS FOR MALTA AND GOZO APPROVED 04/08/2006 Government has just approved five Local Plans which had been drafted by MEPA for all localities in Malta and Gozo. This completes the set of Local Plan for the Maltese islands.

MEPA SEALS OFF TWO ILLEGAL VILLAS IN DELIMARA 17/08/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority sealed off two illegal villas as it continues with its efforts to curb illegal developments in Delimara and reverse the impact that these illegalities have caused within this area.

MEPA STOPS ILLEGAL DUMPING AT SEA 21/08/2006 Following media reports over the weekend the Malta Environment & Planning Authority would like to clarify the facts related to the activity of illegal dumping of excavation and construction waste at sea.

ILLEGAL DUMPING AT FREEPORT 30/08/2006 Mepa refers to reports in the press related to the alleged illegal dumping of material at sea. MEPA has requested the Police to investigate these allegations.

MEPA DEMANDS URGENT CRIMINAL ACTION OVER XEMXIJA WORKS 30/08/2006 Development works have been stopped by MEPA on site at Xemxija which was the subject of an inquiry earlier this year chaired by MEPA's Audit Officer.

STATISTICS FOR AUGUST 2006 05/09/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) determined 639 applications in August and received 660 new applications. The net pending caseload at the end of the month was 4,545.

MEPA STOPS DECONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WORKS IN TA'XBIEX 06/09/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority have once again temporarily stopped deconstruction and demolition works at the site of the former Les Lapin Hotel in Ta'Xbiex as the developer was not adhering to the permit conditions.

NEW DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENT AT MEPA 02/10/2006 Mr. Martin Seychell is the new Director of Environment at the Malta Environment & Planning Authority. A graduate in chemistry, Mr. Seychell specialized in Chemical analysis. He has held important positions on several government boards and commissions including the Food Safety Committee and the Pesticides Board

MEPA HELPS FINANCE RESTORATIONS WORKS ON ST.MICHAEL'S CHAPEL IN BURMARRAD 02/10/2006 The aim of the EIPP is to enhance and protect Malta's natural environment and cultural heritage using funds secured through what is known as 'Planning Gain'. Planning Gain is often sought by MEPA as a means of environmental compensation for impacts that may result from development, which impacts cannot be reasonably mitigated.

MEPA HOLDS A PUBLIC INFORMATION EVENT ON AIR QUALITY 06/10/2006 We all know that the air we breathe directly affects our health. But do we really know how fit for "consumption" is this air? What are the sources which pollute it?

MEPA MAKES AVAILABLE ALMOST LM1,000,000 FOR URBAN IMPROVEMENT 20/10/2006 the Malta Environment & Planning Authority will make available to the Local Councils the sum of Lm939,891 from the Urban Improvement Fund scheme operated by the Authority. Sixty-six local councils may benefit from these funds.

PASS IEHOR LEJN L-IMPLEMENTAZZJONI TAL-APPLIKAZZJONIJIET GHAL ZVILUPP B'MOD ELETTRONIKU 01/11/2006 L-Awtorita ta' Malta ghall-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar il-MEPA, bhalissa qed taqleb il-korrispondenza kollha li tircievi dwar applikazzjonijiet ghal zvilupp, f'ghamla digitali.

UPDATING OF POLICY & DESIGN GUIDANCE 2005 02/11/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority, MEPA, is issuing for public consultation updates to the Design and Policy Guidance, DC2005. The Authority is putting up for public consultation amendments which will repeal certain policies in the previous document published last year.

STATISTICS FOR SEPT - OCT 2006 09/11/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) determined 1,286 applications during the months of September and October 2006; 643 applications were determined during each month.

CIVIC AMENITY SITE AT XEWKIJA APPROVED 09/11/2006 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority today approved in a public hearing, the application for a civic amenity site. The site is located approximately one kilometer from both Xewkija and Ghajnsielem.

MEPA REQUEST POLICE TO PROCEED AGAINST ILLEGAL CHANGES IN A SCHEDULED BUILDING IN VALLETTA 09/11/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority, MEPA, has requested the police to institute proceedings against the owners of a shop in Republic Street, Valletta.

AMMENDMENTS TO GRAND HARBOUR LOCAL PLAN 13/11/2006 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority is issuing for public consultation amendments to the Grand Harbour Local Plan. These amendments follow Parliament's decision to include the area around and including Ricasoli Industrial Estate for specialized development.

SAFEGUARDING THE AREA OF GHAJN BARRANI IN GOZO 21/11/2006 In line with this commitment the Malta Environment & Planning Authority has recently scheduled a stretch of coastline and hinterland along the North-eastern coast of Gozo, located within the limits of Xaghra and Zebbug, known as Ghajn Barrani.

MEPA PUBLISHES ITS ANNUAL REPORT 28/11/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority made public its Annual Report for the work carried out by the Authority for the financial year ending in September 2006.

STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER 2006 07/12/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) determined 625 applications in November and received 673 new applications. The net pending caseload at the end of the month was 4,631.

POLICE CONFISCATE OVER 800 ILLEGAL BEVERAGE CONTAINERS 07/12/2006 Over 800 bottles illegally on the market were confiscated by the police following a Direct Action spread over two days by MEPA enforcement officers.

MEPA PUBLISHES EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL PROMOTING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 15/12/2006 The Malta Environment & Planning Authority has published a series of posters depicting aspects of the natural environment and a Calendar for 2007 with indigenous Maltese species. The work on the posters was carried out as part of the Parks Network Project and funded by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund)