Email campaign demanding immediate review of the fuel stations policy launched

Moviment Graffitti yesterday launched an email campaign urging the authorities to immediately implement a revised version of the Fuel Station Policy, one that does not allow fuel stations on ODZ.

The 2015 Fuel Service Station Policy remains in place unreformed, a full 10 months after the promised review, Moviment Graffitti said.

“The email will be sent to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Transport Minister Ian Borg, Environment Minister Jose Herrera, Chairperson of the Environment and Development Planning Committee Alex Muscat, PA Board Chairman Vincent Cassar and PA Executive Chairperson Johann Buttigieg.

“The current Fuel Service Station Policy allows the construction of massive so-called fuel stations (read: shopping complexes) on natural and agricultural land designated as Outside Development Zones (ODZ). Even the authorities have admitted that the policy is wrong and should be changed. How- ever, instead of immediately taking steps to reform the policy, the PA stalled the process. To date, no changes have been effected.

“Four fuel stations have already been approved in the past few months and there are 12 other applications that are still being processed. A total size equal to six times the Floriana granaries can be taken for fuel stations on agricultural and natural land. In the meantime, new applications for the development of fuel stations continue to be submitted, in addition to the many that are already being processed.

“It is simply unacceptable to continue with endless discussions and consultation processes while our country is being ruined at such a fast pace. The authorities should just do the right thing and implement a revised Fuel Stations Policy now.” The email petition can be accessed at: http://pa.movimentgraffitti.org/permit/6