Study underway on the concept of land recycling
● Ambjent Malta launched
Environment Minister Jose Herrera said yesterday that a study is being undertaken over the idea of Land recycling, the concept where possible in extremis ODZ land take-up would result in compromised land in the development zone being turned into ODZ land.
The study, he said, is being conducted by the Planning directorate, the ERA and his ministry.
The minister stressed that he is against ODZ land takeup, but mentioned that in certain circumstances where ODZ land is taken up due to, for example, infrastructure reasons, land in the development zone could be turned into ODZ land, giving the land back to the environment.
The minister said that there are areas in the country which are degraded, where, for example, a development occurred which is now dilapidated, areas with abandoned buildings etc considered in the development zone which could, if one needs to in extremis take up some ODZ land – and he again stressed he is against ODZ land take-up – which can be given back to the environment.
He gave the example of the 50 tomna of land which was turned into ODZ as a result of the AUM Zonqor land takeup.
The minister said the above in response to general questions about the environment by the press, during a conference where Environment Minister Jose Herrera was launching Ambjent Malta, a new department to implement the environmental work around Malta.
The agency’s aim is to consolidate various environmental directorates under one umbrella. Ambjent Malta will be set up to protect and add value to Malta’s natural capital, the Minister explained.
Ambjent Malta will have a Director General - Herman Galea, and a Board of Governors which includes members of civil society such as Dr Claire Bonello, headed by Conrad Borg Manche.
The Director General will head three directorate, for projects, embellishment and operations.
The Department will implement and manage afforestation projects, setup and manage new parks, and implement management plans and conservation orders covering 34 Natura 2,000 sites.