A Sustainable Development Centre and a hostel are at the heart of the first phase of the Xrobb l-Ghagin Nature Park, due to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister next month.

Resources Minister George Pullicino said this morning that the centre and hostel had been set up in the buildings which used to form part of the Deutsche Welle relay station and will be the focus of environment-related activities in the nature park.

The hostel will house groups on overnight stays as part of their nature studies.

There are interactive learning facilities for children and older persons, as well as conference facilities.

The nature park consists of over 155,000 square metres of the Delimara peninsula, including the natural arch at Ras il-Fenek and the white cliffs of Munxar.

The area has been cleaned up and a considerable number of trees have been planted.

The park will be jointly managed with Nature Trust (Malta).

Another phase of the project will include the setting up of a rehabilitation centre for turtles, which are currently cared for at Fort San Lucjan.

During a tour of the park this morning, Mr Pullicino underlined the process which went into the rehabilitation of the old buildings at Xrobb l-Ghagin. The purpose, he said, was to reduce heating and cooling costs, the provision of renewable energy and waste water recycling.