Communal centre planned for Victoria

The Gozo Ministry has given a copy of a development brief outlining the planning and design framework of the development of a communal centre in Victoria, to the local council for its feedback. The brief will then be passed on to the Cabinet for approval.

The project is being carried out by the Gozo Ministry, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, the Resources and Infrastructure Ministry and the Transport Ministry.

Speaking at a meeting attended by Victoria councillors, Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono pointed out that the development study was drawn up following the completion of a geological study. A financial feasibility study was also completed.

By setting up a Gozo Communal Centre, the government intends to provide additional commercial, leisure and community facilities in Victoria.

The brief asserts that the car park/bus terminus area in Victoria provides a unique development opportunity which would substantially upgrade the area and provide facilities which may be lacking in Victoria.

The brief states that one of the major goals of the structure plan is "to use land and buildings efficiently and consequently to channel development activity into existing and planned development areas... thus constraining further inroads into undeveloped land and generally resulting in higher density development than present."

Another major goal of the plan is "to radically improve the quality of all aspects of the environment of both urban and rural areas."

The project aims to:

¤ provide better and centralised community facilities for residents

¤ promote the creation and maintenance of jobs

¤ provide interesting and lively urban spaces in addition to and complementing already existent ones

¤ offer an opportunity for Gozo to undertake development which reflects modern Gozitan aspirations through distinctive architectural and urban design

¤ create a focal point as a gateway which will lead to the overspill of activities to other areas in Victoria

¤ provide improved facilities for public transport to promote its use

¤ provide additional parking in Victoria

¤ provide office space to encourage the setting up of new service industries in Gozo

¤ provide entertainment and other facilities to cater for the needs of Gozitans, day visitors and tourists

¤ promote winter and shoulder month tourism and exploit Victoria`s potential for an urban-based holiday

The plan encourages "the identification and promotion of suitable development opportunities" as a means for resource creation. With specific reference to Gozo, the strategy of the structure plan is "to encourage economic development, constrain further urbanisation and give much greater importance to conservation and the quality of the environment."

The development brief points out that to safeguard and promote Victoria as a successful urban location, activities currently taking place will need to be retained and where possible increased and diversified.

A sizable area in central Victoria is being proposed for a mixed use type of development. This includes the area currently occupied by the playing field, football ground, bus terminus and main car park and smaller public car park in Guzeppi Labrè Street. The proposed development will require the relocation of the football ground and an area reserved for the parking of buses.

The uses being proposed include community service facilities, the law courts, tourism and entertainment related facilities, offices, facilities for bus/coach passengers and parking. The relocation of the law courts is being proposed. The setting up of offices would allow the transfer of back-office operations of parastatal or private companies to Gozo. The whole complex should complement rather than compete with existing land uses in Victoria. New urban spaces will form part of a overall network of pedestrian routes extending across the commercial centre of Victoria.

The layout and design of the communal centre intends to allow for the retention and enhancement of existing important views. The emphasis will be on the urban design of the whole complex and the way buildings relate to each other and the open spaces around them. The architecture of the development is to be an evolution of Gozitan architecture and should be a means to reinforce the Gozitan identity. The skyline of the development aims to respect the existing skyline of Victoria. Landscaping will also be an important element in the overall design.

The provision of purpose built offices in Victoria`s commercial centre will be useful for the relocation of existing government offices which are not in a central location or which could improve services by using improved facilities; the opening of new government offices and/or services in Gozo; the relocation to Gozo of back-up office facilities of major Maltese institutions especially those associated with the finance sector; the provision of offices for private sector services.

A showcase of what Gozo offers

The Gozo Business Chamber will be holding the first Gozo Trade Fair at the Sports Complex, Victoria, from June 7 to 9.

Covering an area of 1,600 square metres, the trade fair will showcase Gozo`s endeavours in the field of business enterprise. With the participation of over 50 exhibitors, the fair is an interesting cross-section of trade, ranging from furniture to domestic appliances, gypsum and paints, air conditioners and souvenirs, pottery, stoneware, stained glass, leather products and many others. The Gozo Ministry and local councils will be setting up information stands.

Gozo Business Chamber (GBC) vice-president Joe Grech pointed out: "The Gozo Trade Fair is a dream come true thanks also to the help of Vodafone Malta, Bank of Valletta and other sponsors.

"As the NGO responsible for promoting the common interest of business operators in Gozo, the GBC is doing its utmost to make the first edition of the fair a big success.

"We believe that it will be a good opportunity for both Gozitans and Maltese visiting Gozo during the long weekend of Sette Giugno to view what is available in Gozo. We envisage a good turnout as the public will have the opportunity to view a vast range of different products under one roof. Another advantage is that entrance is going to be free of charge."

The trade fair will be open on June 7 from 11 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 to 9.30 p.m.

The Gozo Trade Fair is also being supported by Gozo Channel Company and Sign It.

Coming up

¤ The relic of Blessed Adeodata Pisani will be on display at St Francis church, Victoria, today. Mass will be celebrated on the hour from 6.30, to 9.30 a.m. and at 5 p.m. Concelebrated Mass, led by Bishop Cauchi, will also be held at 6.45 p.m.

¤ Mass with the participation of the Ilhna fiz-Zernieq Choir, to mark the success of Nadur Youngsters Football Club in the sixth football championships held recently, is being celebrated at Nadur parish church today at 9.30 a.m. The final match of the Super Cup will be held at the Gozo Stadium at 3 p.m.

¤ Tribute, a two-hour dance show, will be staged by the Body Art Dance Group at Don Bosco Oratory, Victoria, today at 7.30 p.m.

¤ High tea, to raise funds for the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady, is being held at Villa Fiorita, Marsalforn, today. Transport leaves Victory, Square, Xaghra at 3 p.m. For more information call: 2155-0450 or 9982-6367.

¤ A dinner to raise funds for the feast of St Paul will be held on Munxar`s main square on Friday at 8.30 p.m. For tickets call the parish offices on 2156-4563.

¤ A dinner, organised by Xewkija council to raise funds for the local library, is being held at Marsalforn Hotel, on Friday at 7.30 p.m. Tickets at Lm3.50 and Lm1.75 for children under ten may be obtained from the council offices (tel: 2155-8822 or 9942-3957).

¤ A prayer meeting, organised by the Bethel charismatic group and led by parish priest Gorg Bezzina, is being held at Fontana parish church, on Saturday at 8 p.m. Another one, organised by the Eucharistic Movement and led by Mgr Rosario Borg, will be held at St Augustine church, Victoria, at 8.30 p.m.

¤ A prayer meeting, organised by the Madonna Ta` Pinu prayer group, will be held at Ta` Pinu Sanctuary on Sunday at 9.30 a.m.

¤ An evening of activities for families, with the theme, Taht sema sajfi, organised by Radio Lehen il-Belt Victoria, in collaboration with La Stella youth group, is being held on St George`s Square, Victoria, on June 7 at 7.30 p.m.