A regeneration project at the Mlit Housing Estate in Mosta was this morning announced by Opposition leader Joseph Muscat.

The €700,000 project is meant to upgrade the standard of living of the families in the area by giving the housing estates a new lease of life.

It will be carried out in partnership between the government, the council and the private sector, the Opposition leader said.

Dr Muscat said that families and residents will be consulted and the council would have the possibility to eventually take ownership of the project if it so wanted.

The project, the Labour leader said, will include a general recreation area, a water catchment system a new communication system network, a child care centre and wi-fi hotspots.

The child-care centre and part of the irrigation system will run on renewable energy sources. A bring-in site will be put in place, with underground waste reservoirs. All area proposals would becompliant with KNPD regulations and standards.

Specific areas would be designated for pets and pet owners and recreational areas will be equipped with CCTV cameras for security and peace of mind.

In a statement, the government said that the Mosta council did not apply to benefit from an €8 million government scheme for the upgrading of housing estates.

Council does not apply to benefit from funds to upgrade estate

Through the Housing Authority, the government invited the Mosta council to apply for funds to improve the environment of Ta’ Mlit Housing Estates  but the council did not apply.

The benefits of the scheme were explained to all mayors in September 2010, a meeting whcih the Mosta mayor did not attend.

As Mosta residents were not represented in the meeting, the authority CEO requested a meeting with the mayor at the council offices but the mayor did not turn up for the meeting and kept the CEO waiting for 1.5 hours.