The government is looking at more incentives to direct investment and options in Gozo towards the protection of the heart of the villages and the natural environment, among others.
Among others, this is to build on existing initiatives such as the strong schemes for the purchase of properties in an urban conservation area. Prime Minister Robert Abela spoke about this when he met with seven Gozitan organisations, to discuss with them proposals they are making ‘For Gozo’.
While he listened, Prime Minister Robert Abela spoke about the success of Gozo in recent years and how reality has changed today, where Gozo is a motor and not a village. At the same time, one must take care of the protection of what makes Gozo unique. Here he explained that when the government chose to make more generous schemes for Gozo, for those who want to rehabilitate and restore houses in Gozo, it was sending a clear signal.
“Now on that signal we want to build the new initiatives, which initiatives will testify how we all together want to take care of Gozo. The upcoming budget must give a signal about this too,” said the prime minister, who also referred to the large open space project to be carried out in the heart of Victoria. “I encourage you to take part in the ongoing public consultation about this project as well, because this must be one of the main projects that will bring about a big change in Gozo.”
This project looks at the regeneration of an entire area spread over an area of more than 22,000 square meters. Central to this vision is the fact that the area that is currently occupied by a parking lot, will be transformed into an open space accessible to everyone.
Prime Minister Abela also noted the decision that Hondoq the Pomegranate should remain untouched and explained that the government, in a consistent way, sent a message against the development on the land of Hondoq. The Gozo Regional Council, Din l’Art Ąlwa Gozo, Gozodix, Wirt Gozo, Gozo Business Chamber, Gozo Tourism Association and the Gozo University Group were present at the meeting.
