Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543022
ONE of Malta's busiest coastal tourism hotspots could undergo significant changes under plans to upgrade facilities at Wied iz-Zur- rieq, including new public toilets, diver amenities, a rebuilt Blue Grotto ticket booth and covered boat storage for fishermen. A project that will slightly increase the site's visual prominence but which environmental regulators say is unlikely to cause significant impacts. The application, submitted by the Coastal and Stormwater Unit within the Public Works Department, covers a roughly 1,000-square-metre site outside the development zone on the southern edge of Qrendi. The area currently consists mainly of a con- crete quay and an access staircase, surrounded by agricultural land, garrigue and a small cluster of residential and commercial build- ings, close to the Grade 1 listed Torri ta' Xutu. The project proposes demol- ishing the existing small ticketing booth and reconstructing it with improved facilities for operators, including storage areas, a kitch- enette and rest space, alongside new public toilets. Beneath the reorganised diver parking area, a covered boat storage facility is planned for fishermen, while the upper level will be adapted into an improved kitting area for scuba divers. Works also include refurbish- ment of the quay and access stair- case, which have deteriorated significantly due to wave action and repeated wetting and drying cycles. The concrete surface will be broken up and replaced with a new reinforced deck, while the staircase leading down to the quay will be demolished and rebuilt to align with a new ramp. Addition- al improvements are planned to enhance diver entry points, tradi- tional boat mooring and bathing access. According to the application, ex- cavation to a depth of around 2.5 metres will be required beneath the existing road to construct the new facilities. Excavated materi- al will be carted off to approved recycling facilities, while con- struction will involve reinforced concrete foundations, walls and roofing. Part of the extended roof over the boatyard will also support the parking area above. In total, the development pro- vides for a 75-square-metre tick- eting booth and operator facilities, a 402-square-metre diver parking and kitting area, 219 square me- tres of covered boat storage for fishermen, and 118 square metres of enhanced quay space. The Environmental Resources Authority (ERA), which screened the proposal, concluded that the project is unlikely to have sig- nificant environmental impacts and does not require a full envi- ronmental impact assessment. ERA noted that most works will be confined to already developed land, with only minor intensifica- tion resulting from the extension of the boat storage area. While acknowledging that the development will exceed exist- ing levels and increase the site's visual prominence, ERA said this was unlikely to significantly affect visual amenity or landscape char- acter, given the current baseline. However, the authority flagged an existing southern-facing bounda- ry wall as a negative visual element and requested visuals showing how it will be treated to improve its appearance and better inte- grate it with the surrounding en- vironment. ERA also recommended that a detailed Works Method State- ment be submitted before con- struction begins. This must ad- dress potential impacts during the building phase, including dust, noise, light emissions and the risk of polluted runoff or material spillages entering the marine en- vironment. The statement must also outline mitigation and con- tingency measures, particularly in adverse weather conditions, and include an environmental moni- toring plan. During quay works, a silt curtain will be installed and spill-preven- tion measures implemented to protect the sea. Concrete pouring will be carried out in stages using pumps and cranes from above the site, with materials hoisted down to minimise disturbance. The authority ultimately raised no objection to the project from an environmental perspective, subject to these conditions being met. Wied iz-Zurrieq is a major at- traction for both tourists and locals, serving as the departure point for Blue Grotto boat tours and providing access to popular dive sites such as the Um El-Fa- roud wreck. The area is also used by small- scale fishermen and remains a favoured bathing spot. Growing demand for services has led to congestion, prompting the pro- posed upgrades to improve safe- ty, accessibility and organisation across the site. 4 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 4 FEBRUARY 2026 NEWS Wied iz-Zurrieq quay plans propose updated facilities JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt 3D visuals of the proposed development Public consultation on Ghar Lapsi regeneration launched A public consultation on how Għar Lapsi should be regen- erated has been launched. This comes after the site was battered by massive waves during Storm Harry, as a big chunk of rock broke off onto an area where swimmers gather on Monday. MaltaToday visited the site one day after the storm, as many were in disbelief at the state of their favourite relaxa- tion spot. In a Facebook post, Infra- structure Minister Chris Bonett said that the area has been closed off as some parts remain unstable and are dan- gerous. Bonett stated a study on the state of the rocks is un- derway, as he announced the public consultation on Għar Lapsi's regeneration. MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt Ghar Lapsi (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)