Government has reached an agreement with the Malta Developers Association, representing quarry owners, to grant a fiscal incentive to accept the dumping of construction waste in their quarries as from today.
Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change José Herrera, making the announcement on Thursday, praised MDA President Sandro Chetcuti for his environmental credentials and for his role in helping to solve this national problem. Those quarries that accept construction waste for up to €5.50 per tonne would pay a final withholding tax of 10% on their profits, down from the current 35%.
MDA President Sandro Chetcuti said a number of quarries in the outskirts of Zurrieq, have already agreed to accept the construction waste under these new conditions.
“We intend to speed up procedures for more permits to be issued so that more quarries can start accepting construction waste but this will not solve the problem permanently because we need to work with the government to find a long-term solution once the quarries are filled,” Mr Chetcuti said. He also thanked the Government and the Minister himself for taking a prompt decision within a few days.
Dr Herrera said that Government will have to come up with ambitious proposals in line with the EU’s circular economy for the construction waste to be reutilised and suggested that land reclamation may have to be considered.
7 April, 2017