The government has committed over half a million euro through the Planning Authority (PA) for three local councils in Gozo to carry out urban improvement projects within their localities.
This was announced by Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia and Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri during a visit to one of the sites.
The projects include converting the street lighting in Pjazza San Ġorġ and the maze of narrow, winding alleys of Victoria with a new energy-efficient lighting system, the upgrading of equipment, paving, and lighting of a playing field in Żebbuġ and new energy-efficient lamps around the Belveder Ta’ Qaċċa in Xagħra.
The design of the lamp posts in both Victoria and Xagħra will be in keeping with the character of the respective localities.
In Żebbuġ, works will also include the plantation of a vertical garden within the playing field.
Minister Farrugia explained that this funding has been made possible after the scope of the Development Planning Fund (DPF) was widened last year to include Green and Blue Infrastructure. He explained that projects that incorporate vertical green walls overlooking public spaces, such as a public garden with walls on either side, receive a 5% bonus and, if there is a need for a development application, it will have its fees waived.
“Our aim is to support projects which improve our urban environment and in turn our quality of life, and those which fall in line with our vision for intelligent planning and greener urban infrastructure. This fund, which was reformed last year, provides local councils and NGOs with the necessary financial support for them to be proactive and undertake projects that are aimed at improving the wellbeing, environment, and social dimension of our towns and villages,” Minister Farrugia said.
Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri thanked Minister Aaron Farrugia and the Planning Authority for the importance being given to the island of Gozo in such projects. He said that three local councils, those in Victoria, Żebbuġ and Xagħra are benefiting from €500,000 in order to improve the urban environment of their village or town. Minister Camilleri stated that, “In Gozo, we will have the first green wall in Żebbuġ,” whilst expressing how he looks forward to further improving the urban environment of Gozitan towns and villages. He concluded by saying that this is a step towards truly investing in the urban environment.
“Play has been one of the invisible casualties of the pandemic. We need to ensure that recreational areas within our localities are modernised and made accessible for all. The PA’s fund provides the mechanism for these facilities to grow and remain an important open space within our localities no matter their size,” Chairperson of the Development Planning Fund Perit Vincent Cassar said, adding that local councils are being encouraged to make their localities greener and to reduce their locality’s carbon footprint. Energy-efficient street lighting not only saves energy consumption costs, but also contributes towards a more sustainable way of living.
Over the past two years, the Authority granted a further €161,000 to the localities of Sannat and Nadur. These funds have financially assisted in the implementation of a substantial number of projects which today are positively contributing towards a better quality of life for their residents.
Photos: MECP, MGOZ
