Waste separation extension

I refer to the article Waste Separation To Be Extended To Bulky Domestic Refuse (September 6) and would like to draw the attention of readers that Christopher Ciantar is wrong on two matters.

First, it is not true that the site identified by WasteServ in Zejtun is within an industrial area. The respective site is in Triq tal-Hotba outside the Bulebel industrial estate and is administered by the local council.

Secondly, I would like to point out that months ago the Zejtun local council met officials from WasteServ and explained the council's concerns. We made it clear we are not against having a civic amenity site (euphemism for waste separation depot) but disagree on how it is being implemented.

The local council already had plans for the site in question. And this was communicated many months before to the Mepa officials responsible for the local plan and the Parliamentary Secretary for the Self-Employed. During the meeting with WasteServ officials we explained our project and discussed a middle way where the two initiatives would be combined in a single project. Though WasteServ officials were very positive and enthusiastic about the idea so far we have not yet received any form of reply.

The Local Councils Act and the European Charter of Local Self-Government is often infringed by certain quarters by ignoring their commitments towards local government.

There is a list of success stories in the past where central government agencies have worked in cooperation and consultation with local councils. Unfortunately, WasteServ is not included in this list.