Petition No.: 8 Signatures: 487 Sign Petition
Fifteenth Legislature (2026- )
Details - Online
Title
Petition By Swieqi Residents & supported by the Swieqi Local Council
Date
05-08-2026
Date petition closes for signatures
10-10-2026
Creator of petition
NOEL MUSCAT
Grievance
This is a petition created by the residents of Swieqi with the support of the Swieqi Local Council. It aims to create awareness and kickstart solutions for problems that are making daily life miserable for residents in this locality, namely: noise at all times of day & night, vandalism, garbage crisis, antisocial & uncivil behaviour, numerous unregulated short-lets.
Wherefore I/we respectfully request the House of Representatives to
discuss and implement the below measures:
1. Moratorium on Permits – Freeze short-let approvals until the carrying capacity study is done & ensure decisions are based on evidence.
2. New Legal Classification – Treat short-lets as Category D (Commercial Uses). This treats them as business operations not residences.
3. Planning & MTA Coordination – PA must seek MTA approval before change-of-use is granted. This stops planning approvals that ignore tourism impacts.
4. Approval of Neighbours – Any change of use within a residential block to become short-let should require prior approval from the rest of the neighbours within the immediate vicinity.
5. Localised Limits – Cap short-lets as agreed by MTA & Local Council. This prevents over-saturation & protects community balance.
6. Conditional Licensing – Issue MTA permits only with binding clauses on waste, noise disturbances & vandalism, creating direct accountability for landlords\operators.
7. Modernised Regulations – Replace outdated rules with future-oriented legislation. This would keep pace with today’s realities & tomorrow’s needs.
8. Waste Management Requirement – No licence without garbage storage\private collection. This tackles one of the most visible nuisances & biggest public health hazards.
9. Joint Enforcement – MTA & Local Council to coordinate monitoring. Local monitoring ensures compliance is real, not just on paper.
10. Landlord\Operator Guarantee – Require financial security lodged with MTA, creating a deterrent & a remedy for breaches.
11. Enhanced Policing – Increased night patrols by foot & vehicle. This dissuades noise, vandalism & unsafe behaviour.
12. Alcohol Outlet Hours – Restrict alcohol sales to 6am–9pm in residential zones.
13. 24\7 Retail Outlets – The locality does not need 24\7 retail outlets because it is a mostly priority residential locality.
14. Large apartment blocks – Those that are rented out as short-lets should have their own 24\7 security personnel. This creates a visible and immediate deterrent to antisocial behaviour.
1. Moratorium on Permits – Freeze short-let approvals until the carrying capacity study is done & ensure decisions are based on evidence.
2. New Legal Classification – Treat short-lets as Category D (Commercial Uses). This treats them as business operations not residences.
3. Planning & MTA Coordination – PA must seek MTA approval before change-of-use is granted. This stops planning approvals that ignore tourism impacts.
4. Approval of Neighbours – Any change of use within a residential block to become short-let should require prior approval from the rest of the neighbours within the immediate vicinity.
5. Localised Limits – Cap short-lets as agreed by MTA & Local Council. This prevents over-saturation & protects community balance.
6. Conditional Licensing – Issue MTA permits only with binding clauses on waste, noise disturbances & vandalism, creating direct accountability for landlords\operators.
7. Modernised Regulations – Replace outdated rules with future-oriented legislation. This would keep pace with today’s realities & tomorrow’s needs.
8. Waste Management Requirement – No licence without garbage storage\private collection. This tackles one of the most visible nuisances & biggest public health hazards.
9. Joint Enforcement – MTA & Local Council to coordinate monitoring. Local monitoring ensures compliance is real, not just on paper.
10. Landlord\Operator Guarantee – Require financial security lodged with MTA, creating a deterrent & a remedy for breaches.
11. Enhanced Policing – Increased night patrols by foot & vehicle. This dissuades noise, vandalism & unsafe behaviour.
12. Alcohol Outlet Hours – Restrict alcohol sales to 6am–9pm in residential zones.
13. 24\7 Retail Outlets – The locality does not need 24\7 retail outlets because it is a mostly priority residential locality.
14. Large apartment blocks – Those that are rented out as short-lets should have their own 24\7 security personnel. This creates a visible and immediate deterrent to antisocial behaviour.
Closing remarks
In conclusion, the current situation has become untenable, and unbearable for all residents. Concrete and feasible action needs to be taken now, to restore peace and respite to the residents.
We are now asking all residents who agree to the above to sign this petition so that we may present to a Member of Parliament to present it to Parliament for discussion.
We are now asking all residents who agree to the above to sign this petition so that we may present to a Member of Parliament to present it to Parliament for discussion.