WasteServ issues tender to turn shut Marsaskala waste treatment plant into park

WasteServ on Friday (today) issued a tender call for excavation and preparatory construction works to transform the shut Sant’ Antnin waste treatment plant in Marsaskala into a recreational green park.

The plant, which was shut down in December 2022, has had its infrastructure dismantled and sent for recycling abroad. As a result, an area of over 23,000 square metres will now be returned back to residents in the form of a park.

The tender issued covers a number of works, including the excavation of a three-storey car park that offers electric park-and-ride facilities for Marsaskala. Additionally, it also covers excavations to create an artificial lake in the park, described by WasteServ as a “green sanctuary.” The project aims to attract biodiversity and foster a “serene ambiance for visitors to enjoy,” WasteServ stated.

A retaining wall that stretches approximately 175 metres will also be erected in order to separate the proposed green park from its surroundings. Through these plans, the site will be reshaped, with it also set to feature natural landscaped terrain with mature trees and shrubs, WasteServ explained.

While preparations for the project’s second phase are ongoing, the tender for a number of other tasks is “expected to be issued in the coming months.” These include soil delivery, planting mature trees, constructing and filling the lake and its wetland filtration system, building the greenhouse with aquaponics facilities, constructing the car park, and establishing the outdoor multipurpose space.

WasteServ stated that by the time the tender of the second phase is issued, the excavation works should be almost completed.

Commenting on this, Environment Minister Miriam Dalli acknowledged that the project forms part of Government’s greening mandate.

“Through this project, Government aims to rehabilitate a site previously associated with waste management into a nature park accessible to all for their enjoyment, similar to the rehabilitation of the landfills in Qortin in Gozo and Wied Fulija in Żurrieq,” she remarked.

Richard Bilocca, WasteServ CEO, thanked the public for its efforts, noting that this is a “vital requirement” for the implementation of the ECOHIVE strategy and the delivery of such projects.