The green whistleblower

Abstract

Accolades for the entity with the worst green performance last month must surely go to the Building Industry Consultative Council (BICC), which falls within the Ministry for Infrastructure and Resources, for its slew of absurd statements. The BICC stated that MEPA should revoke its current policy of allowing free public access to the coastline since the land in question was privately owned. With 84 per cent and 74 per cent of the accessible Maltese and Gozitan coastlines respectively already stifled by tourist developments, how can the BICC state that the remaining pockets should be gobbled up by its members? Other unhealthy proposals made by the BICC include one that communities should shoulder part of the cost in the protection of scheduled historical property - this comes against the backdrop of the destruction of Capua Palace in Sliema, Carrack stores in Cottonera and 17th century fortifications in St Julian's.