[WATCH] Ta' Qali national park to double in size

A €20 million investment to upgrade and double the open space at Ta' Qali

Ta' Qali national park is set to grow exponentially with the inclusion of 52,000sq.m. of derelict land that will be transformed into a green space, government plans unveiled today show.

The land previously housed an abandoned concrete factory that was demolished by the Planning Authority enforcement section.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said on Friday that the Ta’ Qali National Park will undergo an infrastructural and landscaping upgrade that will see its area double in size.

“This region will go from having an abandoned concrete factory which attracted illegal dumping and abuse, to an area which will cater for the people’s wishes of having bigger and greener open spaces,” Muscat said.

The €20 millon upgrade, will see the area nearly doubling its open space from 270,000sq.m. to 450,000sq.m.

According to Muscat, the park’s area will be around one third of London’s Hyde Park.

An old abandoned concrete factory which had been a hotspot for illegal dumping and illicit activity, has been torn down to make way for the open space.

The government, according to Muscat, looked to also make use of pockets of land which had otherwise been inaccessible by people, in order to maximise the area’s usage.

The Malta National Park will be maintained by Ambjent Malta, whose personnel will be patrolling the park using electric cars.

A footpath leading to Chadwick Lakes will be built as part of the park’s nature trail, while the existing dog parks in the area will be made larger.

A new campsite will also be built, fulfilling another electoral promise, Muscat said.

Cycling and jogging trails will also be part of the project.

Environment Minister Jose Herrera said that despite the various sector’s criticism of the government's lack of environmental contribution, new projects continue to be put forward.

Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg said that it is good to have a strong economy, but the country needs more clean and open spaces.

“This will be the biggest green capital project in our country, and will see the development on an area the size of around 63 football grounds,” Borg said.