Speech by the Hon. Austin Gatt, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications, at the Launching of the ‘Boat Show’ at Dock Number One - Bormla – 14 July 2009

I am happy to inaugurate the Boat Show for two reasons. First, because it is set in part of the Grand Harbour which is important in our plans to regenerate the area; and second because it brings together people involved in yachting, an economic sector this Government would like to see growing.

The setting that the Boat Show has created in Dock 1 shows what we can do if we are creative and if we have a clear vision of where we want to go. This area of the Grand Harbour has a long history, but is known to date more for its derelict state and its dire need for regeneration. The Boat Show demonstrates that this regeneration is possible. The Dock No.1 enclave is situated within the inlet of Dockyard Creek and comprises of adjacent jetties in addition to Dock no.1 itself.

(The historic Dock no.1 dates back to 1848 and was first used as a servicing point for galleys operating in the Mediterranean. It was the first dry dock to be constructed by the British in the Mediterranean Basin. The existing dock was completed in 1921 after it was enlarged, and the complex includes the dock buildings consisting of two warehouse systems with overlying stores. These were built by the Knights and subsequently modified by the British Navy. The Dock no.1 area extends from Oil Wharf which runs along the Birgu peninsula to the area beneath Triq 31 ta’ Marzu on the Senglea side of Dockyard Creek. The dock itself has a length of 154m, a width of 21.6m. The aggregate floor area of the two old buildings is of 6160m2. The Dock no. 1 development site extends outwards beyond the property boundary into Pjazza Gavinu Gulia and Triq 31 ta’ Marzu which is situated alongside the dock. Both of these urban spaces are directly linked to the fabric of the dock. The modified boundary wall and the visual accessibility onto the dock, which was completed during 2001-2002, has already effected positively the embellishment of the area.)

Politics is the art of the possible. It is the ability to have the right vision and to bring everyone together to realize that vision. We started by developing a vision for the Grand Harbour and the Marsamxett Harbour in 2007

. Now we are at the planning stage, in which we focus on each area identified in those vision documents and plan the developments that need to take place, to attain the regeneration objective we have set for the Harbour. In the past few months we have launched a number of projects, the latest being the regeneration of the Menqa area. Like the Menqa area, it is Government’s intention to totally regenerate the Dock 1 area.

• The main objective of the redevelopment of Dock 1 and its waterfront is the transformation of the area from a derelict and unused area into quality leisure and recreational space that would attract locals and tourists alike. As Government had revealed a few months back, we are considering various options for the Knights Building and British Barracks. Now that we have terminated all negotiations with the Romegas Consortium, Government is studying all options for the regeneration of this area.

The Dock 1 project is part of a larger project that spans from Boiler Wharf to Rinella Bay. Government has already secured EU funding for landscaping works to be carried out in the areas, these amount to approximately €7.5 million and there is possibility of further funding for related projects in the area e.g. landing places for water taxis and transit stations to link the ferries to the main public transport (bus) network. The project will be carried out in two phases as follows:

Phase 1 – Landscaping works from Xatt ir-Risq to Macina via Dock 1

Phase 2 – Restoration of Knights & British Building

The landscaping works for Phase 1 are due to start in Q1 2010 and should be completed within 2 years. Complementing these works are promenade projects as detailed in the Vision of the Grand Harbour, which are divided as follows Design work to commence in phases as follows:

(a) Phase 1 – Boiler Wharf – Dock 1

(b) Phase 2 – Dock 1 - Xatt ir-Risq

(c) Phase 3 – Kalkara

(d) Phase 4 – Rinella

Works on Boiler Wharf have already commenced and it is envisaged that the first cruise liners will berth there shortly.

Works on the second phase with start in parallel with the landscaping works in Q1 2010.

In parallel to these developments, all of which to be realized through Government and EU funding, Government will invest in the upgrading of the road network in the area and also will semi-pedestrianise several nodes in the area. This will ensure that locals and tourists have a continuous walk along the Dock 1 waterfront in a regenerated environment and thus encourage further private investment. The objective here is to create a continuous walk from L-Isla to Rinella.

Another objective of Government is to link the towns and cities around the Grand Harbour with improved and alternative modes of transport. Government will confirm its commitment with the following initiatives:

* The introduction of water taxis
* The improvement of ferry connections (with the option to connect to the sea plane service)
* The construction of landing points for ferries and water taxis
* The introduction of transit stations (Ferries/Water taxis to Public transport –buses)
* Continuous promenade to promote pedestrian traffic.

The Dock 1 project must be considered in the multitude of projects planned for the Grand Harbour. Just round the corner from where we stand, Government is investing in the conversion of Boiler Wharf from an under utilized industrial wharf to a fully fledged Cruise Liner passenger handling facility, that will bring tourists directly to the Three Cities. The MMA are finalizing a contract with the preferred (only) bidder to take over the Tank Cleaning facility at Ricasoli and complete the relocation of this operation within TWO years.

Government is considering Kalkara for a temporary marina. Across the harbour, Government is investing in the upgrading of quays at Barriera Wharf and the Waterfront. Customs House at Lascaris will be converted into a cruise liner passenger terminal with direct access to the heart of Valletta via the Barrakka Lift. The ex-MRRA Ministry and the Pixkerija are being considered for eventual lease as a Boutique Hotel. All these projects will increase the commercial activity in the Grand Harbour bringing an economic revival to areas which were previously under utilized.

The Valletta Boat Show brings together the yachting and boating community in Malta. My support to this and other events is stemming from our vision to make Malta a regional centre for yachting and maritime services. Our location in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, our tradition as a seafaring nation, our skills in maritime affairs and the availability of support services, make Malta an ideal candidate for further prosperous development in this sector. A number of milestones are already in place, including the privatization of the yacht marinas, where the call for tenders has already been published by the Privatization Unit.

To conclude I will mention another area high on Government’s agenda, the provision of berthing spaces for our yachting community. As you are all well aware, we issued a consultation document a few weeks ago, whereby we issued our proposals for both permanent and temporary berthing. Dock 1 will provide approximately 65 berthing spaces. The yachts currently berthed here temporarily are ‘spill over’ yachts from other Marinas in the area. This just goes to show the extent of the problem we have regarding berthing and why Government is committed to finding a solution.

The future of our yachting industry depends on having the right infrastructure, which is a challenge in itself given the scarcity of space, especially shore-space, in Malta. The infrastructure alone is not enough and we hope to steer the sector further through incentives and the development of a cluster of specialized services to cater for a yachting industry that is international, and that adds value to the economy by creating new jobs.

Naturally, choices will have to be made. There are shoreline and other natural limitations. There are competing interests for both resources and use. We should be clear on the principles: a strong regulatory environment, a move towards higher added value for our economy and space for the private sector.