Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1526855
3 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 20 SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWS GozoToday is a weekly newspaper focused primarily on Gozo. It hopes to serve as a source of information on business, culture, entertainment and of course current affairs. Gozo has a special charm about it but it is also a bustling Island with an identity of its own. We will strive to bring you the news over the next three months. At this stage we are planning to take advantage of the influx of local and foreign visitors to this marvellous Mediterranean Island. But we could be tempted to continue with this newspaper project beyond the Summer months. GozoToday will be published every Friday and is available to numerous outlets in Gozo and on the ferries that carry so many visitors to Gozo from Malta and beyond. GozoToday MediaToday Co. Ltd Vjal ir-Rihan San Gwann SGN 9016 EDITOR: PAUL COCKS Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: dailynews@mediatoday.com.mt GozoToday is published by MediaToday in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo and Planning MINISTERU GĦAL GĦAWDEX U LIPPJANAR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The number of passengers opt- ing to use the fast-ferry services between Mġarr (Gozo) to Valletta went up to 693,361 total passen- gers in 2023, from 476,180 total passengers in 2022. To further support this, up- grades to the roads leading to the Ċirkewwa terminal are planned, ensuring "a smoother journey" for those travelling by ferry. This is expected to ease congestion and reduce travel times for Gozitans commuting to Malta. Prior to the summer months, Infrastructure Malta completed a project aimed at better organising traffic management around the Ċirkewwa Terminal. With this €7 million investment, the journey for individuals trav- elling to Gozo is being facilitat- ed without restricting access to the terminal for workers, public transport, and non-Gozo-bound traffic. This project also addresses the record number of trips being registered to and from Gozo. Gozo to lead the way in renewable energy Gozo is also playing a key role in Malta's renewable energy drive. The island, along with Comino, is home to 14.6% of the country's photovoltaic (PV) installations, contributing significantly to the islands' renewable energy output. This highlights Gozo's impor- tance in the nation's sustainabili- ty goals, with further investment in renewable energy expected to follow. New services for the elderly To ensure that elderly day-cen- tre services in Gozo are of optimal quality, a standard that regulates Day-Centre Services, for elderly persons, is being developed. Fur- thermore, in 2024 the he Older Persons Standards Authority (OPSA) increased the frequency of its inspections to a full week – thereby ensuring the monitoring of all the Authority's licensed ser- vices, during and outside normal working hours, on weekends and Public Holidays. Owing to the increase in the number of OPSA-licensed ger- iatric services offered in Gozo, the Authority also plans to have a fixed presence in Gozo, to meet the island's needs in a more effec- tive and efficient manner and to facilitate the inspectorate func- tion outside normal working hours. This is part of a broader plan to enhance the healthcare infra- structure across Gozo, ensuring that residents have better ac- cess to essential services without needing to travel to the mainland. During 2023 and 2024, Active Ageing and Community Care (AACC) continued to evolve and modernise its systems to promote active ageing and an improved quality of life for older adults. The major milestones achieved in this area included the opening of a multi-disciplinary clinic in Dar Padova, Għajnsielem Gozo, for the provision of a quality service to Gozitan older adults. Cleaner and greener water management In an effort to address water issues, a number of investment and infrastructural projects have been undertaken. Over 41 per cent of the replacement of 50 kilometres of ageing potable wa- ter mains has been completed by July 2024. Furthermore, work is underway on the St Paul's and Xemxija Sewage Network and a major upgrade of the trans- fer line between the Ċirkewwa RO and Ta' Qali group of reser- voirs is underway, with the latter project entailing an investment of around €16 million. Further- more, an investment of €50 mil- lion is being made to upgrade the Ċumnija and Gozo Urban Wastewater Treatment Plants. Revitalising localities across Gozo First-time buyers opting for properties in Urban Conservation Areas (UCA) or vacant proper- ties can receive a cash grant of €15,000, while those purchasing in Gozo are eligible for a grant of €40,000. As of 15th August 2024, approx- imately 488 applications have been approved under this scheme, resulting in a total expenditure of €8.5 million. These initiatives align with the Government's broader efforts to revitalise localities across Malta and Gozo. Property owners can also benefit from VAT grants, capped at €54,000, on the first €300,000 spent on restoration and finishing costs. As of the same date, 187 applicants have benefit- ed from these VAT grants, receiv- ing nearly €1.9 million. Investment in major areas in Budget 2025 plans for Gozo Gozo is playing a key role in Malta's renewable energy drive