MEPA launches consultation on Noise Action Plan

A Noise Action Plan, which seeks to identify measures aimed at avoiding, preventing or reducing the harmful exposure and effects of environmental noise on human health resulting from major road traffic has been published by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for public consultation.

The draft Noise Action Plan and its summary, which have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Environment Noise Directive covering a five-year period, also provide an overview of the requirements and obligations of the Environment Noise Regulations and present a summary of the results of the strategic noise mapping within Malta.

The approach in this action plan is to manage and reduce environmental noise emissions and its impact at source through operating procedures and restrictions. The Directive does not cover and address noise pollution at the workplace, entertainment venues or construction sites. Neither does it regulate neighbourhood, firework or consumer product noise, noise nuisance and noise transmission between dwellings.

This plan was drafted on the recommendations of a team of noise experts who were engaged to assist in the implementation of the Environment Noise Directive, to prepare the required noise maps and to draft technical specifications for the supply of noise monitoring equipment

European Commission to fund Qala heritage trail

Qala council has obtained €197,638.90 in European Commission funding for a project titled Exploring and Improving Qala’s quality of life through a Heritage Trail.

The funding, under the Rural Development Plan 2007-2013, is spread over three years and follows a recommendation from the Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs.

Visitors to the locality will be invited to tour 12 sites that combine the culture, folklore and history of this picturesque village full of folk tales, legends and beautiful views.

The sites are: the Civic Centre, a picnic area, the Folklore Museum, Il-Ġebla l-Wieqfa, Randu’s Mill, St Anthony’s Fort, Ħondoq ir-Rummien bay, the chapel of the Madonna tal-Blat, the cart ruts, the Immaculate Conception Sanctuary, St Joseph Square with the parish church, and the belvedere.

An information leaflet will be given to whoever tours the heritage trail. Qala Mayor Paul Buttigieg said in a statement: “This is one of a chain of projects that the local council has implemented in the locality that will certainly give it a larger dimension. This complements an earlier project for which we already received €32,640.54, taking the total approved funding to over €230,000.”

Malta Enterprises preparing draft law on industrial zones

Malta Enterprise is set to be able to regulate industrial zone management, both those owned by the government and those in private developments.

The need for a draft law is a direct result of the need for safety measures that arose early in April when a major fire engulfed a manufacturing concern in Mriehel, where no fire hydrants are available.

Malta Enterprise Chairman Alan Camilleri was quoted as telling the media that the legislation would involve the payment of a service charge to ensure all facilities within industrial zones are well maintained.

According to the proposed legislation, the policies regulating the management of these facilities would be entrusted to Malta Industrial Parks, which would become responsible for the common areas of these zones.

Only one industrial zone administered by Malta Enterprise has a fire hydrant system, Bulebel. Another system is being installed at Hal Far but these systems require maintenance. Mr Camilleri is quoted as saying that proper proper protocols need to be put in place, such as fire drills, which require time and resources.

MEPA revises tariffs

Earlier this month the Malta Environment and Planning Authority lowered the tariffs (DPF) on applications for developments related to social, cultural, educational and sporting activities by 39%. These affect developments like hospitals, residential homes, schools, museums, religious places, sporting facilities and social clubs.

MEPA also introduced the concept of capping, which was fixed at €40,000, to encourage voluntary organisations to continue with their work.

A limit has also been introduced on the tariffs for development applications so that the rehabilitation of quarries for the dumping of rubbish, land reclamation for agricultural purposes and so that no more expenses will be imposed on the quarrying industry which would ultimately result in an indirect cost to development.

Malta in top 10 for quality of life

Malta has placed in the top ten in International Living’s Annual Quality of Life Index 2011. The magazine rated nine categories including cost of living, culture, climate, environment, freedom, health, infrastructure and safety.
Although the United States was on top of the list of 192 countries surveyed in quantity terms, the other countries that made it were: New Zealand, Malta, France, Monaco, Belgium, Japan, the United Kingdom, Austria and Germany.
These nations are home to plenty of expats, who are thrilled with life in their chosen havens. Two of them, Barbara Bode and Liz Ayling, editor of maltainsideout.com, shared their experiences with the magazine.

Issue 3 of The Property Standard hits the news stands

The third issue of The Property Standard was in your favourite news agent on Sunday, 9 January, 2011.

Faced with a printing problem that would have meant delaying the circulation of this issue, the publishers decided to have this edition only printed on newsprint paper.

The publishers have been assured that this issue has now been resolved and the next issue of The Property Standard, to coincide with the Malta Property Expo in March, will be printed on the paper that has so far been used for the two earlier issues.

The promise of sale – konvenju (part 2)

By Notary Dr Anthony Abela and Notary Dr Sam Abela

A standard promise of sale usually includes:

1.                   Details of the parties

– in the case of physical persons, their names and surnames, profession, parental details, place of birth and residence, identity document number, and date of marriage in the case of female spouses involved; and

– in the case of companies, the company’s name, company number and registered address, together with information on authority for the person appearing for the company.

PROMINENT PROPERTY DEVELOPER LOSES BATTLE FOR LIFE

Prominent property developer Joe Baldacchino, who was shot in the back on 23 November, succumbed to his injuries while being treated in hospital on 27 December.

Mr Baldacchino had just parked his car in Windmill Street, Valletta, close to Hastings Gardens,  when the assailant, wearing a crash helmet, drove up on a scooter and shot him from close range. He was said to have been on his way to a court sitting since he had around 40 cases pending related to his business interests.

Mr Baldacchino, 51, a father of five, was the founder of the Baldacchino Group. His business interests included properties in Malta and Gozo, among them the Kempinski Hotel in San Lawrenz. He was a founder member of the Malta Developers Association (MDA).

In a statement, the MDA publicly expressed their sadness and regret on the news of his death, and conveyed its condolences to his wife and family.

MDA asks Auditor General to check MEPA practices

The Malta Developers Association has written to the Auditor General asking him to carry out an audit of MEPA practices to establish the real cost of processing development permit applications and the checks that should be in place to ensure that processing of development permits be carried out efficiently.

In a letter dated 19 November, MDA president Michael Falzon wrote: “Although MEPA is one institution, it has separate directorates for planning and environmental responsibilities (and) publishes a unified account covering all its activities, rather than split by operational function”.

The MDA firmly believes that applicants for development permits should be charged for the costs actually incurred in processing these permits, Falzon added.

TPS sold out by 10 am

The new property bi-monthly newspaper The Property Standard (TPS) was sold out from local stationers by 10 a.m. yesterday morning.

Publishers Duplex Real Estate Branding, which is having the paper distributed free when you buy another local paper, said all 40,000 copies printed had been picked up.

“This is a success story that has exceeded our expectations,” CEO Keith Pillow said. “We are extremely satisfied that there was such an encouraging demand for a quality property paper with a balanced mix of news stories, interviews, classified advertising and opinion articles.”

If you failed to pick up your copy, go to the website www.thepropertystandard.com & download the electronic version. The next issue is due at the beginning of January 2011.