The Labour Party won the 2013 general election by a landslide. The electorate in the fifth district, which includes Żurrieq, voted massively in favour of the Labour government and four MPs were elected.
Given this situation, it was expected that, during this legislature, Żurrieq residents’ needs would be high on the agenda of both the local council and the central government. However, to date, not a single project or some other local initiative is on the table. The government road map for Żurrieq and its residents is literally non-existent.
It is within this context that I want to share my thoughts and experiences as a member of the local council for the past six years.
European funds would be allocated to non-urban road investments. Many other localities benefitted from these monies but the Żurrieq local council, hence, its residents, missed this opportunity. Many residents know how badly the Ħal-Far road needs to be reconstructed but no valid plans were put forward to make such an investment.
I questioned the mayor about this particular issue and he reassured all that he would do his utmost so that such a project would be approved. Even Minister Joseph Mizzi was informed about the urgency of this request months earlier but our proposals were simply not considered.
Without central government support, local council projects will become unsustainable
Similarly, other projects, like the outdoor gym, was also shelved without any particular reason, to the detriment of local residents. The local council exchanged correspondence with parliamentary secretary Stefan Bountempo and the feedback received was positive.
Since then, responsibilities have changed and the sports portfolio is now under the remit of Chris Agius who clearly stated that projects similar to the ones proposed by the Żurrieq local council were not considered as priorities anymore.
The local council had no other option; we had to fund these projects from the council’s own budget. It was a very anomalous situation: the same government but different strategies and ideals. Very frustrating because, as a local council, you end up not knowing what the central government’s way forward is.
If no support is forthcoming from the central government, local council projects will become unsustainable and very limited, to the detriment of the residents.
Furthermore, recently we had the shocking news that a new quarry development in Wied Moqbol got the green light from Mepa. This is an internationally-protected Natura 2000 site we are speaking about. This no way compares with what used to happen under the previous Nationalist government. The locality of Żurrieq was always considered as an opportunity for investment.
The central government’s direct investment in Żurrieq included the reconstruction of Valletta Road at an expense of €4.4 million. This benefited the locals but also enhanced access to the Blue Grotto area for the many touristic coaches that visit this venue.
Another €500,000 project, co-financed by EU funds, transformed an area into an open space, known to the locals as Ġnien il-Ġibjun. This was a welcome project and the place is nowadays used for cultural and recreational activities. It is a well sought after venue in the locality. Several public sites and areas were transferred to local organisations as part of the central government’s devolution strategy.
Worth a mention is a piece of land that was passed on to the local scouts club with full legal ownership.
Other projects included the resurfacing of several residential roads with direct funding by the central government, the sport complex at Tal-Bebbux, Ġnien il-Bennej, which included a playing field area, the promenade at Blue Grotto Avenue and also the regeneration and restoration of an important Żurrieq landmark, the Xarolla windmill.
Needless to say, such projects were implemented over a number of years but my concern is that the flow of projects for Żurrieq seems to be drying up. The indications and the feedback we get from the central government are somewhat disappointing. This does not augur well and, hopefully, things will change for the better.
Local residents expected that, on a local level, things would continue as before, even more so because the party now in government promised a clear road map for the country. Unfortunately, the situation is very different.
Looking ahead, I sincerely hope that all involved would recognise the fundamental importance of local councils and that the central government would continue to support in an adequate way any initiative that adds value to the quality of life of residents.
Dino Bonnici is a member of the Żurrieq local council.