Labour pledges safeguards on public land included in 2006 rationalisation exercise

Prime Minister Robert Abela on Wednesday said a future Labour government would prevent public land included in the 2006 rationalisation exercise from being developed.

He argued Malta was still “paying the consequences” of the expansion of development zones approved under a Nationalist administration.

“Today a Labour government is leaving behind a legacy of lands we returned to the people, such as Manoel Island and Fort Tigné,” Abela said during an address at the White Rocks area. “In 2006, a previous administration included land the size of Siġġiewi within the development zone, and to this day we are still paying the consequences. Many environmental debates revolve around applications on those sites. Therefore, a Labour government commits itself to ensuring that public land in these zones is not developed for speculative purposes.”

The pledge formed part of a wider package of environmental and infrastructure proposals unveiled by the Labour Party on Wednesday.

The announcement came hours after the government formally sealed an agreement returning Manoel Island and Fort Tigné to the public.

Abela said a government led by him would introduce changes to the local plan to ensure no development can take place on Manoel Island, paving the way for the site to be transformed into a national park focused on preserving natural landscapes, beaches and historical heritage.

Abela said national parks planned for Manoel Island, White Rocks and Fort Campbell would become priorities during the next legislature.

Among the measures announced, the Labour Party pledged to introduce legal amendments to safeguard parks and gardens created in recent years from future development, particularly former development sites that have since been turned into open spaces.

The party also committed itself to continuing afforestation projects after planting around 60,000 trees in the last legislature. Plans include a new afforestation project at San Niklaw in Siġġiewi on a site measuring more than 100,000 sq.m previously occupied by two quarries. The area would be converted into woodland with mature trees, walking trails and recreational facilities.

Further valley restoration projects are planned at Wied Blandun, Wied il-Qlejgħa and Wied il-Għasel.

On waste management and energy, Abela announced work would begin on a new €75 million plant designed to convert organic waste into renewable energy and compost. The government also reiterated its commitment to the waste-to-energy plant, which is expected to process 192,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste annually and serve as a major source of energy generation.

Abela said additional investment would be directed towards reverse osmosis facilities and artificial intelligence systems aimed at reducing dependence on groundwater extraction. A new reverse osmosis plant is planned for Ħal Far to strengthen potable water production in southern Malta.

Abela also announced a pilot project to process brine produced during desalination into magnesium for commercial use, rather than discharging it back into the sea.

The party reiterated its target of generating 25% of Malta’s energy from renewable sources by 2030, alongside large-scale projects such as offshore wind farms.

Among the renewable energy initiatives announced was an expansion of schemes for apartment residents without roof access to purchase photovoltaic equipment installed on Water Services Corporation facilities. Around 500 families are expected to benefit.

The Labour Party also pledged to introduce an “energy-sharing” concept allowing households unable to invest directly in renewable energy systems to benefit from surplus energy generated by other participating consumers.

Abela said the government would also explore legal amendments to compensate homeowners whose rooftop solar installations are negatively impacted by nearby developments.

The prime minister also announced plans to significantly extend several public parks, including Wied Inċita, Bengħajsa Park and Salina Park. A new 40,000sq.m green area in Fgura would connect with the San Klement Park in Ħaż-Żabbar.

Other projects include the completion of the final phase of the Ta’ Qali national park, the transformation of the former recycling plant site in Marsaskala into a 23,800sq.m open space, and the creation of the St Patrick’s Park in Pembroke.

Open spaces are also planned around the Delle Grazie fortifications in Xgħajra, while regeneration works are ongoing to link the Floriana and Pietà gardens into a wider green network.

Additional works are underway at the Pinetum Gardens, with permits issued for regeneration projects at the Milorda Gardens.