Prime Minister Robert Abela announced the decision, saying the projects will make Malta more attractive by replacing planned buildings with tree-filled open areas and reaffirming the Government’s pledge to deliver more public green spaces.
Dr Abela recalled the promise he had given at the start of this legislature to launch the country’s largest programme of open-space projects, a promise that, he said, the Government is honouring and will continue to honour. The four sites, totalling about 8,000 square metres, will put a new green area within a short walk of some 7,000 households; the wider target for this year is to hand over 20,000 square metres of land for people’s enjoyment.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that when the exercise began—identifying developable state land to be set aside for this purpose—there was some scepticism, a sign, in his view, that mentalities must change. He insisted that open spaces are as necessary as schools or health centres and must become part of the country’s social fabric so that children, parents and grandparents alike can live in a more beautiful Malta.
Energy, Environment and Grand Harbour Regeneration Minister Miriam Dalli said the Government shares families’ aspiration that recent improvements in quality of life be reflected in the surrounding environment. She noted that several new gardens have already been completed and many others are in progress, while Project Green is introducing innovative ideas for sustainability, including efficient use of energy and water, sustainable materials and long-term maintenance, in collaboration with the private sector. The design of each project will be carried out hand in hand with the respective local council, and Project Green will consult the local community to restore natural biodiversity and make the spaces safer and more accessible.
Lands and Electoral Manifesto Implementation Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi explained that, in this first phase, the Government has identified 8,000 square metres of land in the four localities. Worth almost twenty million euro on the open market, these plots will now be converted by Project Green into open green areas in the heart of Ħal Luqa, Ħal Kirkop, Ħal Lija and San Ġiljan, all just minutes from residential neighbourhoods. The Lands Authority is committed to finding further sites of this kind so that by the end of the year the 20,000-square-metre target can be met.
The site in Ħal Luqa, in Triq Mikielanġ Sapiano, measures about 3,400 square metres; in Ħal Kirkop, a 1,100-square-metre plot lies in Triq Nerik Xerri; in Ħal Lija, 700 square metres in Triq Merino; and in San Ġiljan, 2,300 square metres at Ta’ Ġiorni. All are currently zoned for multi-storey development but will instead be turned into family-friendly open spaces.
