Over half a million euro has been committed by the Government through the Planning Authority between three local councils in Gozo to carry out urban improvement projects within their localities.

The Government said that these projects include converting the street lighting in Pjazza San Gorg 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 Zebbug and new energy-efficient lamps around the Belvedere Ta’ Qacca in Xaghra.

The design of the lamp posts in both Victoria and Xaghra will be in keeping with the character of the respective localities, it said.

In Zebbug, works will also include the plantation of a vertical garden within the playing field.

The announcement was made by Minister for the Environment Aaron Farrugia and Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri during a visit to one of the sites in Victoria.

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 added 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,” the Minister said.

The Minister went on to say that “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 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 Victoria, Zebbug and Xaghra Councils are benefiting from €500,000 in order to improve the urban environment of their village or town.

“In Gozo, we will have the first green wall in Zebbug,” the Minister said, whilst expressing how he looked forward to further improving the urban environment of Gozitan towns and villages.

Camilleri 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,” said Chairperson of the Development Planning Fund Perit Vincent Cassar.

“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,” he 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, the Government said.

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