PA funds community improvement projects worth €1 million

The localities of Mosta, St. Julians, Birzebbuġa, Mellieħa and Nadur will benefit from over €1 million through a number of urban projects which seek to improve the quality of life in these towns and villages, the Planning Authority said yesterday.

The money for these projects will be funded by the Planning Authority through its Development Planning Fund.

In Mellieħa, the Authority agreed to fund €82,000 for the installation of a new lighting scheme in Triq Għajn Zejtuna, in Santa Marija Estate.

Over €64,000 are being committed by the Authority for the upgrading of the football pitch in Triq L-Imgarr in Nadur. The works relate to the replacement of artificial turf within football pitch.

To increase security and reduce attempts of vandalism in public areas, the Mosta local council decided to install CCTV cameras in four public gardens. For this project the Authority will fund over €12,000. The public gardens are Ġnien Reggie Cilia, Ġnien Santa Margerita, Ġnien Ġorg Grognet de Vasse and Ġnien il-15 t’Ottubru.

In the localities of St. Julians and Birzebbuga, the Authority signed an agreement with the respective local council to fund road resurfacing works for a total of over €867,000. In St. Julians, works will be carried out in Triq Jean Houel, the parking area of near the Church, part of Triq Mensija, the road between Triq F. Balbi and Triq W. Hardmann, Triq Bertha Kilg, Triq Forrest, and Triq de Vertot. In Birzebbuga works will be carried out in Triq il-Qroll. These will be the last road resurfacing projects that the Authority will be funding following the setting up of the new Agency which will responsible for the building and maintenance of all roads.

The development planning fund was set up in January 2017 with the scope of widening funding opportunities, giving greater flexibility to what projects can qualify. This fund assists local councils, NGOs, government agencies and any interested party to carry out small and large projects within a locality that can enhance the quality of life within our towns and villages.

This fund sees its financing coming from 70% of the mandatory contribution developers have to pay to compensate for when they do not provide car parking spaces within their development. In addition, 20% of the revenue generated through applications for the regularisation of development is also being directed to the fund. This combination providing sufficient funding for local councils to carry out projects which will improve the lives of their residents.