Authority defers direct public meeting on southern Malta odour complaints
The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has declined to give a firm commitment to hold a public meeting with residents over persistent foul smells in southern Malta, saying it prefers to keep its discussions with the Paola local council. Environment Minister Miriam Dalli told parliament the authority had recently met councillors and believed direct and continuous dialogue with local councils was the most effective way to handle complaints.
What residents want
In September 2026, residents and Opposition MP Michael Piccinino wrote to the ERA urging the authority to convene a public meeting. They wanted clear answers on what was causing the odours and what steps were being taken to stop them. The request came after months of complaints from Paola, Vittoriosa, Żabbar, Tarxien and Santa Luċija about strong, fuel-like smells that worsened at night.
The ERA has not committed to that request. In its response, the authority said it has full confidence in the local council's role in representing residents' interests and relaying their concerns. It added that it remains available to meet council representatives to discuss environmental matters.
What the investigation found
The odours were first reported widely in May 2026. Residents described the smell as strong and "unbearable," particularly during evening hours. By June, ERA investigators traced the source to a batch of marine fuel with a higher-than-usual sulphur content stored in the area. The authority then engaged with fuel storage operators and told them to introduce mitigation measures to prevent a repeat.
During its meeting with the Paola local council, councillors and the council's executive secretary put residents' questions to ERA officials. The authority provided clarifications on its investigation and the follow-up actions taken.
Where this leaves residents
For now, residents who want to raise concerns must go through their local council rather than a direct meeting with ERA. The authority's stance is that working through elected councillors is an appropriate way to consult the public on environmental grievances.
Malta's environmental legislation, including the Environment Protection Act, sets out broad requirements for public participation in environmental decision-making, mainly through the Aarhus Convention principles. However, no specific national law regulates odour pollution directly, and the obligation to hold public consultations applies primarily to permits, plans and programmes rather than individual nuisance complaints where no regulatory breach may be identified.
