Natural, recreational park

The setting up of regional committees, as proposed in the local government reform, announced recently by Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said, is another step forward in the development of local councils in Malta.

The local councils in these region can work together and make concrete suggestions how best to improve this part of the island, which includes the whole area between the Grand Harbour and Marsaxlokk harbour. In this region, besides the industrial harbours, one also finds two power stations, a recycling plant and three industrial estates. We must strike a balance between the residential, commercial and industrial needs.

The regeneration project of Cottonera, the building of a new campus for Mcast at Corradino and the development of SmartCity would surely change and upgrade the south-eastern zone of our island. But in this densely-populated area we also need to tackle our environment concerns. Improved traffic systems, such as the rebuilding of Żabbar Road and Hompesch Road in Fgura, the upgrading of the Marsascala bypass and the proposed road to SmartCity would help to reduce pollution caused by traffic in residential zones.

The electoral programme presented by the Fgura Nationalist Party candidates contesting these local elections suggests that a regional park should be developed between the Wied Blandun area, where an afforestation project has commenced, and Żabbar. Besides giving the much-needed breath of fresh air to the residents living in this zone, it would also attract the interest of thousands of tourists who visit our island.

The area mentioned surrounds the historical bastions of Cottonera and could be developed in recreational and sports facilities and, at the same time, make an interesting foot path all the way from Għajn Dwieli in Paola to Cottonera, bypassing Fgura and Żabbar.

This project could be funded through EU regional funds and, as a tourist attraction, could also find the support of the Malta Tourism Authority and other government agencies.

I hope that after Saturday's elections, and following the approval in Parliament of the local government reform, the newly-elected local councillors will settle down and start working on this proposal in the interest of all residents living in the region.