Eco-Gozo plan in 'coming weeks'

The concept of turning Gozo into an ecological island should start to materialise soon, at least on paper, after 18 months of having been presented as a major policy plank by the Nationalist Party in the election.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono said she would be presenting Cabinet with a blueprint for the eco-Gozo vision in "the coming weeks".

She said the consultation period was over, confirming the website, set up by the government to gauge interest, had generated considerable feedback.

"There have been contacts with private interests on particular eco-friendly projects and products," she said, without going into detail.

Transport issues would be addressed by the eco-Gozo strategy, she said. A pilot project for transport reform in Gozo was ditched in April by the Infrastructure, Transport and Communications Ministry after it was deemed to be "unsustainable".

Similarly, the issue of alternative energy would also find its way into the strategy, the minister confirmed.

Eco-Gozo represents the government's vision of "transforming Gozo and Gozitan society into a sustainable reality", environmentally, socially and economically.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com