The Duke complex inaugurated
The €10 million Duke Residential, Shopping, Leisure and Wellbeing Complex in Victoria was yesterday evening inaugurated by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
The state of the art complex was built in place of the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel. It is spread over 4,000 square metres and also offers residential properties with apartments, offices and garages.
The construction of the complex, owned by Island Developments, took the environment into consideration with the adoption of environmentally-friendly initiatives. Its solar system and heat recovery unit are estimated to save a maximum of 18,250kWh of electricity per annum. This corresponds to a saving of 11.8 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Dr Gonzi said that over the past four years, Gozo benefitted from numerous investments, not least the road building programme.
The latest data, he said, showed that employment in Gozo expanded over a year ago by over 400 and the number of passengers crossing to Gozo increased by over 129,000 in the first nine months.
But these positive results did not leave room for complacency and it was time to accelerate reforms and investment so as to continue making Gozo a success.
The Prime Minister said that eco-Gozo is not only a slogan but it was the backbone of his government's policies for the island.
"My government is committed to dedicate to Gozo 10 percent of the EU funds we achieved for the period 2007-2013
"A number of projects have already been approved by the European Union and these include the continuation of the road building programme with a budget of over €7 million, further training and education investments which will continue to equip Gozitans with the necessary skills and further investments in the hospital.
"In addition, €2 million will be invested in the rehabilitation of Villa Rundle, the gardens adjacent to this complex. The cruise-liner berthing buoy in Xlendi and the reform we will be announcing in the public transport service are all aimed at improving the tourism product that Gozo already offers," he said.
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L Micallef
Dec 1st 2008, 16:38
Do I read you correctly, Mr Peters.... is The Orleander no longer serving 'al fresco' ? Where am I supposed to take visitors for their leisurely lunch, in a typical and totally charming church square, when visiting Gozo. We all agree that infringements must be dealt with and there cannot be a rule for one and not for another so let permits be issued, please, and let us see this favourite outdoor eating spot restored.
J Martinelli
Nov 30th 2008, 22:24
Mr. Peters, what you wrote would make sense had the authorities simply acted like a bolt from the blue. In the vast majority of these cases, the owners of these establishments had been notified of their illegal encroachment and many had been given the opportunity to regularize their position.
Unfortunately since such action was rarely taken in the past, these operators fell under the illusion that things will continue as they did in the past and therefore took their chances. Besides, the authorities cannot be seen to act against some but not others and now, it seems that bit by bit, the illegal occupiers of public land are being sought and made to comply.
These operators within tourist areas should themselves assure their position and if they find that they unknowingly or otherwise, are encroaching on public space, they must go to the proper authorities and apply for a permit at a reasonable rent, in order to lease the public areas.
In the end it will be much cheaper and their mind will be at rest knowing that no wrecking crew will ever spring a surprise on them.
Stephen Peters
Nov 30th 2008, 14:08
I was at the inauguration on Friday and was interested to hear the Prime Minister speak so insistently about Gozo and the importance of the "tourism product".
I wonder whether he knows that the day before his visit, heavy handed Officials had all but destroyed the Tourism Product in Xaghra (and perhaps elsewhere?), by ripping out awnings and removing over 100 restaurant and bar seats outside the restaurants and bars of the Square. What gave the village a great deal of its undoubted appeal to visitors has been destroyed - and for what? A few more car parking spaces. So where will the visitors (and we) eat when we have parked our cars?
I am told that the encroachment into the square was illegal. To promote the Tourism Product and to increase revenue, surely it would have made more sense to grant the extra permits needed for these places of hospitality to continue working in a way that has made such a difference to tourists and locals alike and given the Square its undoubted appeal and vibrancy. Driving through yesterday it felt dead - as though its heart had been ripped out.
Manuel Mifsud
Nov 29th 2008, 15:29
It's not all that doom and gloom after all! In spite of international recession, which would surely effect Malta negatively, new investment makes up for lost jobs.
This is the result of stability and trust.