Ghajnsielem project selected as an open green space for communities

by Gozo News · May 23, 2023

A project put forward by the Ghajnsielem Local Council has been selected among 16 locations around Malta and Gozo for “green open spaces.”

The project, which was the only one selected in Gozo, is for a – Rainwater Harvesting Theme Park – Ghajnsielem Mayor Kevin Cauchi said the project involves turning the Amabile Playing field into a Rainwater Harvesting Theme Park – Water-harvesting facilities intended to reduce flooding whilst harvesting 84,000 cubic metres of water to increase aquifer recharge instead of being lost at sea; New playing facilities targeted for all young ages; A larger green area; Focus on persons with disability including short sightedness and autism; Public convenience facilities; Educational corner focusing on protection of our valleys; Restoration of the historic tunnel under Pjazza tad-Dehra.

The Mayor explained that Planning Authority permits have been issued in the past days and in the next few weeks the Ghajnsielem Local council will be meeting Project Green to finalise the final details.

He added that “it is worth mentioning that these funds together with funding from the Public Works Department (Malta) and Ambjent Malta, more than a €1,000,000 are being invested to protect the historic centre from the flooding we faced in November of two years ago.”

The Mayor expressed his thanks to Architect Godwin Sultana “who has worked hard on these water-harvesting projects and Project Green for making it a reality.”

The 16 projects including Ghajnsielem, were announced on Tuesday by Prime Minister Robert Abela, who said that they were proposed by local councils and non-governmental entities, and will be implemented and completed by Project Green until 2025 with an investment of €10 million.

The Prime Minister explained that the Government is investing in eighty thousand square metres of land to be enjoyed as new open spaces, or spaces in a much better condition than they are today.

He added that among these projects there are lands that could have been built on, abandoned gardens, spaces between residential buildings, and lands outside the development boundaries but abandoned; that with these projects will all be transformed into places where children can run and play, workers can rest at the weekend and families can meet.

The Minister for Environment, Miriam Dalli explained that this investment will give our communities 16 open spaces for the enjoyment of residents. “Through Project Green alone, from the beginning of this year until now, more than 32,000 square metres have been opened and regenerated.”