Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/739617
13 Budget 2017 maltatoday, TUESDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2016 ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT 18-year-olds to benefit from free public transport YANNICK PACE A number of measures where announced through which the government will be tackling the traffic problem. All those who turn 18 during the 2017 will benefit from free bus transport in 2017 in a fiscal measure that the government says will see 18-year-olds saving €315. There will also be a 150% tax reduction for companies that provide free transport to their employees. This will be capped at €35,000 for businesses implementing the measure alone, and €50,000 for those businesses that implement it together with other businesses. Previous measures to incentivize business to install bicycle racks will be extended for another year. Government entities with more than 50 employees will be asked to put forward a sustainable transport plan. Preparations will be made for works on the planned Marsa Project which will begin immediately after the completion of the Kappara project at the end of next year. The government will also be planning the widening of a number of roads includ- ing the Hamrun bypass and a new junc- tion at High Ridge. In the energy sector, the decommis- sioning of the oldest part of the Delimara power station, including the chimney will continue. Geological testing for the gas pipeline will continue next year. By the end of next year, the government estimates that it will have reached 50% of its 2020 emissions targets. The grants scheme for renewable energy will continue over the course of 2017 with schemes being introduced to incentivize the use of heat pump water heaters, dou- ble glazing, roof installation, solar water heaters and other roof renovations. In addition to this, work on the first so- lar farms will being in conjunction with the Malta Developers Association, GRTU and the Water Services Corporation. In 2017, the government will also be is- suing a scheme to offer help to businesses for them to shift to energy efficient sys- tems and machinery. Another scheme will promote the phasing out of old appliances using a system of Eco-cheques. Solar bonds will be issued to the public, the revenue from which will finance rent- ing of solar panel systems by commercial establishments and the installation of so- lar panels in public areas. €1.5m will be invested in landscaping works in the area around the Ta' Bakrat urban waste-water treatment plant in Xaghjra and a further €1.5m will be in- vested in extending the drainage system in Cachia Zammit Street in Zejtun. The government will also be setting up a national company to oversee oil explo- ration. The budget's greener side MIRIAM DALLI A new agency will be set up to co- ordinate the upkeep and cleanliness of public spaces, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna announced. In improving the general environ- ment of the island, the government will also develop sports facilities in Kalkara, Xghajra and Marsaskala. Marsaxlokk, which will be host- ing the LNG tanker for the coming years, will undergo a regeneration project whilst a public consultation will be launched to develop a regen- eration plan for Birzebbuga. Dubbed community compensa- tion projects, Fgura, Mosta, Paola and Haz-Zebbug will be amongst the localities that will directly ben- efit from new projects. A new advisory committee will be responsible of enforcing waste man- agement in public spaces. Struggling with increased con- struction sites, the government will launch afforestation projects in Ba- har ic-Caghaq, Swatar in Msida – opposite Mater Dei – Wied Blandun and Bormla. Malta's second biggest national park, Inwadar National Park, will be developed at Zonqor Point, whilst l- Argotti, St Philip's Garden and Mall will be turned into botanic gardens in a project expected to cost over €3 million. A new camping site will be iden- tified whilst the Ta' Qali picnic area has been earmarked for an "up- grade". The finance minister also an- nounced a reform in the Lands De- partment, which is set to become an autonomous department. The Gozo chapter MIRIAM DALLI GOZITANS may have a greater say in what goes on as government is prepar- ing to launch a white paper on the de- volution of administrative activities. The white paper will kick-start a public consultation process to study the option of giving Gozo more au- tonomy in that Gozo has a greater say in its decisions. Finance Minister Edward Scicluna reminded MPs that the government had managed to reduce the rate of un- employment from 750 to 500 in just over three years. The government is allocating €3.2 million for the installation of a fibre optic link, with the hope of attracting further investment in IT and digital economy. For the first time, Gozitan students attending a private higher education in Malta will start receiving a stipend. The sister island will get its own €5 million Gozo Museum, the minister announced. Finally, Gozo will get its own 'na- tional' pool which will also be used to attract sports tourism. Embellishment projects are also planned for Gozo, including restora- tion works, upgrading of squares and extensive clean-up of valleys. Public consultation will also be launched in a bid to find a solution for the parking problem in Rabat. To increase sea connection, a re- quest for proposal will be issued for the provision of a fast ferry service between Mgarr and Valletta. As already announced, the sub-sea tunnel geological studies will be car- ried out next year by the University of Malta. The minister announced that a public call for a design, build and op- erate will be issued.