More than 36,000 cubic metres of waste removed from Mġarr Valley in Gozo

More than 36,000 cubic metres of waste and landfill have been removed from Mġarr Valley in Gozo as part of rehabilitation works aimed at improving rainwater flow and reducing flooding risks during heavy rainfall.

The works, which covered an area of 9,000 square metres, also involved removing invasive vegetation and clearing obstructions that were disrupting the natural flow of water through the valley.

The Ministry for Gozo said the intervention was intended to improve the valley’s capacity to collect and retain rainwater, while protecting surrounding agricultural land and allowing natural habitats to regenerate.

Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri said the works formed part of a wider programme to rehabilitate valleys across the island and improve their management in preparation for the winter months.

The programme also covered Wied il-Kbir, Wied tal-Marga, Wied ta’ Marsalforn (Ta’ Kittina), part of Wied ta’ Xħama, Wied ta’ Mġarr ix-Xini and Wied l-Infern. Some of these valleys had not been cleaned for decades, the ministry said.

The ministry added that the necessary permits and approvals, including those from the Planning Authority and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), had been obtained. The contractor and project management team were selected through public tenders.

The rehabilitation works are intended to improve water passage through the valleys, reduce the accumulation of rainwater caused by blockages and strengthen protection for the surrounding environment as Gozo faces the challenges posed by increasingly heavy rainfall.