Labour’s €50M Park Promise: Where’s the Green?
Where’s the Green? Labour’s 2022 Urban Park Promises Unfulfilled
Stroll down Republic Street in Valletta today, and you’ll find the same bustling crowds, historic buildings, and yes, the same lack of green spaces that Labour promised to change in 2022. So, what happened to those urban park pledges?
Promises in the Park
In the run-up to the 2022 general election, Labour’s manifesto was a breath of fresh air, literally. It promised to transform Malta’s urban scene, creating new parks and greening existing ones. The party pledged to invest €50 million in urban green spaces, with a focus on creating at least five new parks in towns and cities across Malta and Gozo.
Fast forward to 2023, and the promised parks remain elusive. So, we decided to dig into the details, speak to the people in charge, and find out what’s really happening behind the scenes.
From Plans to Reality
According to the Planning Authority, there are indeed plans for new parks in the pipeline. The most advanced is the proposed park in Birkirkara, set to be built on a former industrial site. But the plans are still in their infancy, with no start date or completion timeline in sight.
We reached out to the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Change for an update. A spokesperson told us, “The process of identifying suitable sites, conducting feasibility studies, and designing the parks is ongoing. We remain committed to delivering on our promise, but these things take time.”
But time, it seems, is not on Labour’s side. With the next election looming, the clock is ticking on their park promise.
Green Spaces, Green Votes
Environmental activists and opposition parties are questioning Labour’s commitment to the park project. “It’s all well and good to make promises, but actions speak louder than words,” says Mark Mallia, a spokesperson for the Malta Green Party. “We need to see some progress, some tangible results.”
Labour, however, insists that they’re still on track. “We’re working tirelessly to deliver on our promise,” the ministry spokesperson told us. “We understand the importance of green spaces to our communities, and we’re committed to making it happen.”
if Labour can turn their 2022 promises into a 2024 reality. Until then, Maltese residents will have to make do with the same old parks, and the same old lack of green spaces in their towns and cities.
So, what can you do? Keep the pressure on. Ask your local councillor what’s happening with the promised parks. Write to your MP. Make some noise. After all, it’s your right to breathe fresh air and enjoy green spaces.
