S.L. 549.46 Art. 20Public hearing.

(1) Following expiry of the time period established in sub-regulation 19(1), the Authority shall arrange for a public hearing to take place at a suitable venue, within the same locality in which the project is proposed but not within the developer’s property. At this hearing, the public may comment on, and enquire about, the EIA report as well as the proposed project and its impacts, and may request any relevant information and clarifications:

Provided that in the case of a pandemic, epidemic, natural disaster, armed conflict, declaration of a national emergency or public danger, or any other event of force majeure, such public hearing may alternatively be held by means of electronic or other viable means of communication as the Authority deems appropriate, and any such hearing held by using such means shall have the same effect at law as a hearing held physically;

(2) The Authority shall give at least fifteen calendar days’ notice of the public hearing, indicating the date, time and venue of the hearing, by means of an advertisement published in at least one daily or weekly newspaper in Maltese and one in English. The notice shall also be given on the Authority’s website.

(3) The Authority or a person acting on its behalf shall chair the public hearing and shall coordinate the proceedings thereof, and shall give every person present at the hearing reasonable opportunity to participate in accordance with sub-regulation (1).

(4) All expenses in relation to the fulfilment of this regulation shall be borne by the developer.

(5) The coordinator shall ensure, as much as reasonably possible, that the relevant consultants are available for the hearing, or that appropriate alternative arrangements are made for provision of adequate information and replies to the public present at the hearing.

(6) Wherever a public hearing is required in accordance with this regulation:

(a) the Authority shall duly record the comments, enquiries and requests made during the public hearing; and

(b) the public may make any additional written submissions to the Authority up to seven calendar days after the public hearing.

(7) Subject to regulation 10, the provisions of sub-regulations

(1) to (6) shall not apply to environmental impact assessments carried out for projects other than those listed in Category I of Schedule I, unless the Authority considers that a public hearing should still be held.