Watch: Miriam Dalli silent on proposal that could allow rezoning of ODZ land

Environment Minister Miriam Dalli refused to comment on whether she agrees with an amendment that could allow for land Outside the Development Zone (ODZ) to be given a different use.

“I think I would be doing a disservice if I focused on a specific amendment. There are a number of things which I believe are good... There are also a number of things that need to be changed,” Dalli said on Wednesday while speaking to journalists.

Dalli was responding to whether this specific amendment, which is featured as one of the points in the government's proposed sweeping planning reforms, poses a threat to the environment.

The amendment broadens the definition of “minor modifications” and includes the possibility of rezoning ODZ land. Theoretically, this means that ODZ land could be rezoned to cater for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes.

Currently, the Development Planning Act states that minor modifications can be carried out through a planning control application to rezone an area.

However, it excludes “changes in zoning of a site which lies in an Outside Development Zone or which is within the Development Zone but not designated for the purpose of development”.

The proposed amendment removes this paragraph and instead states that minor modifications will include “the introduction or alteration of zoning designations within the local plan, including changes to height limitations and land use classifications”.

It does not exclude ODZ from being rezoned.

When asked whether Dalli could mention any amendments that she felt needed to be changed, she said there is a need for a “wider discussion” on the topic that takes into consideration differing views.

“Discussions take place so that differing views can be heard. Based on these discussions, decisions can be made in the future. My position is clear, there needs to be a wider discussion, and this discussion should take into consideration the different views,” she said.

Two weeks ago, the government tabled two major revisions to planning laws in parliament right before the parliament’s summer break.

Environmentalists say that the laws being proposed are a “developer’s wish list”.

Shortly after the Bills were tabled, Prime Minister Robert Abela pledged that a public consultation would take place on the reforms, amid pressure from demonstrators outside parliament.

Apart from these two Bills, The Sunday Times of Malta revealed the contents of a legal notice that will allow for illegalities in ODZ to be made legal.