The Nationalist Party on Tuesday expressed serious concern about the Labour Government’s handling of what remains of Malta’s open and green spaces. The recent case at Ta’ Qali, where a much-loved picnic area has been covered in gravel, is yet another example of short-sighted and incompetent decisions that diminish the quality of life of Maltese and Gozitan families, the PN said in a statement.
For years, Ta’ Qali has been one of the few places in Malta where children could run and play safely, families could gather, and people could find some peace of mind. That same space has now been stripped of its greenery and left bare, under the excuse of controlling dust during events.
There were far better alternatives. Sustainable and natural solutions, such as the use of mulch made from local tree branches and leaves, would have controlled the dust while strengthening the soil and protecting the trees. Instead, the government opted for a careless and amateurish solution, the PN said.
This incident has understandably sparked public outrage. Residents, parents, and youth groups have pointed out that Ta’ Qali is not just any park but one of the last large open spaces still available to the public.
“The truth is that this is not an isolated case. Year after year, the Labour Government has systematically eroded Malta’s open spaces. Public land intended for the community has been handed over for private developments. The few fields left between our towns and villages are being eaten away by road projects. Each time, the public is told that the environment is a priority – but in reality, the opposite is true,” the PN added.
For Labour, the environment is nothing more than a tool for propaganda: glossy adverts, press conferences, and empty promises, while their decisions continue to destroy what little nature remains. Malta already has the lowest availability of open green spaces in Europe, while also recording the highest proportion of people reporting stress caused by environmental problems. This is despite clear research showing that open and green spaces reduce stress and improve mental health. Against this backdrop, every patch of greenery matters, the statement said.
The Labour Government has once again shown that it has no serious plan. It reacts with firefighting, not with planning; it offers excuses instead of taking responsibility; and it undermines the very spaces that provide people with respite in an overbuilt country.
The PN reiterated its proposal to enshrine the environment as a human right protected by the Constitution. We want people to have a stronger voice over the environment around them, and not be forced to accept whatever comes their way, it said. “We will continue to insist that public spaces are designed and safeguarded for the people. Families deserve safe, green areas where they can rest, and Malta deserves a government that treats open spaces as a national priority. We will keep pushing for transparency, proper upkeep, and evidence-based decisions that protect what little greenery remains – because our children and future generations deserve far better.”