The Public Works Department has announced that the necessary permit has been issued to commence a significant project to upgrade and modernise the facilities at Wied iż-Żurrieq, one of the most picturesque and popular locations among both residents and tourists. Known for its spectacular views and access to the Blue Grotto, this area has attracted large numbers of visitors over the years. This investment is therefore intended to substantially improve the visitor experience while enhancing safety and sustainability.
The project includes a range of infrastructural interventions designed to improve existing services. These include upgrades to the ticket kiosk and the facilities used by Blue Grotto Boat Tour operators, which will modernise the service to be more efficient and accessible, including for persons with disabilities. This will help reduce waiting times and improve overall service for visitors.
Dedicated areas will also be created for divers, allowing them to prepare safely before entering the water. This represents an important step in improving both safety and accessibility for those who visit Wied iż-Żurrieq to experience the beauty beneath the sea.
The project also addresses the needs of the boatmen and fishing community by constructing new facilities for storing boats and fishing equipment. These facilities will help protect equipment, particularly during periods of rough weather.
A central component of the intervention is upgrading the jetty, which will be redesigned to provide easier, safer access for divers and safer entry points for swimming. The new jetty will also include improved mooring spaces for boats. In addition, modern public sanitary facilities will be installed, ensuring accessibility and adequacy for all visitors.
The project will be carried out using a structured, methodical approach, with a strong emphasis on high safety and quality standards. Modern machinery compliant with environmental regulations will be used, and specific measures will be implemented to minimise the impact on the area's natural ecosystem.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Public Works, Omar Farrugia, stated, “We promised to provide the best possible facilities in the lower part of Wied iż-Żurrieq, both for the boatmen who come here daily to earn their livelihood and to offer an exceptional tourist experience at the Blue Grotto." Farrugia added that these facilities will also benefit divers who use the area to explore the underwater beauty found in the south of the country.
The Parliamentary Secretary also noted that the project is expected to begin after this summer to avoid affecting the tourist season, and that it should be ready for public use by the following summer.
Clayton D'Amato, President of the Blue Grotto Boat Service Association, said this project is of great importance to the association, as it extends the areas where boats can be stored and protected from the harsh winter weather conditions that affect the area.
Also present were the Mayor of Qrendi, David Schembri, Architect Mario Ellul from the Coastal and Stormwater Unit, and the Director General of the Public Works Department, Stephen Bonello.
This investment will complement the ongoing project in the area by the Ministry for the Environment and Energy and the Water Services Corporation, which will, for the first time, introduce a new drainage system at Wied iż-Żurrieq—something that has never existed there before.
All these works will further strengthen Wied iż-Żurrieq as a leading destination in Malta, offering modern infrastructure, improved services, and a more enjoyable and safer experience for everyone.
