The government is to launch a comprehensive strategy shortly for the regeneration of Grand Harbour, with 20 capital projects clearly outlined and described.

Following a rather short consultation period, the way will be open for hard work to start on the projects, which are expected to take years to be fully implemented.

The publication of the government plan for the regeneration of Grand Harbour is the result of work, that has been going on since last year following a decision by the Cabinet committee on national projects.

In 2006 this committee, headed by Minister Austin Gatt, commissioned MIMCOL to assess Grand Harbour’s littoral and to identify possible projects for the development of the whole area.

The 200-page report, which mainly outlines in great and harrowing detail, the sheer amount of wasteland and neglected areas around Grand Harbour, was presented to the Prime Minister on 20 June.

On 16 July, Cabinet approved the outline of the government strategy for the regeneration of Grand Harbour, which is now being finalised.

The next step was the setting up of the appropriate legal vehicle to spearhead the whole project. The Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation plc was duly registered last Friday with Mark Portelli (Freeport chairman) as its chairman, Marc Bonello (MMA chairman), Ivan Falzon (MIMCOL chairman), Joe Cassar (director in the Government Property Division), Franco Azzopardi (board member of ADT, nominated by the Transport Ministry), Carmel Formosa (from the Finance Ministry, at present project leader at Mater Dei), Alec Mizzi (chairman of MDC and also of Malta Industrial Parks) and Manwel Delia (from MIITI) as members.

Asked by this newspaper to describe what was going on, Mario Mizzi, MIMCOL CEO replied: “The government is preparing the publication of its vision for Grand Harbour, a draft of which it approved in Cabinet on 16 July. That vision statement is now being finalised for publication. The set-up of The Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation plc is part of the institutional structure the government has set up to conduct the consultations necessary and the implementation of its vision.

“The vision has been drafted following the conclusion of a report by MIMCOL to identify areas of opportunity of development around Grand Harbour. This report was commissioned in 2006 by the chairman of the Cabinet Committee for National Projects, Minister for Investment, Industry and Information Technology Austin Gatt, and was submitted to and approved by the Prime Minister on 20 June.

“Cabinet has designated the Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology as the lead ministry for this project.”

The documented report by MIMCOL will make, once published, very sad reading, as one learns to what extent one of Malta’s most historic cores, Grand Harbour, has been allowed to fall into decrepitude. From Fort Ricasoli to Rinella, from the south side of Senglea to the grain terminal, and down into the deep reaches of Marsa and Il-Menqa, the sheer amount of high quality land that is simply unused and dilapidated is amazing, and hidden to all save those who go and see for themselves.

In drawing up the strategy for the regeneration of the Grand Harbour area, the way forward has been brilliantly illuminated by the very famous examples of what has been done, and is being done in at least three regeneration projects abroad – the London Docklands, Marseilles and Hamburg.

In the particular case of Malta’s Grand Harbour, it will be interesting to see what kind of balance will be chosen between the competing strains in Grand Harbour – industry, port handling, tourism, possibly property development as well.

Then there is also the issue of partisan politics, as always in Malta and especially in a pre-election year.

Over the past weeks, Labour leader Alfred Sant and his team have been busily meeting bocci clubs, local councils, regatta clubs and the like, seeking views and ideas about the regeneration of the Grand Harbour area.

The least one can say is that it very much looks like the coming election may be fought over who comes out first, and who has the best ideas regarding the Grand Harbour regeneration.

As outlined above, the report was presented to Dr Gonzi on 20 June and Dr Sant began his visits on 3 July, always listening to views. So far, Labour has not come up with a public declaration of strategic principles.

Whatever, whoever wins the election, it seems the regeneration of Grand Harbour is the next huge target for Malta. And about time, too!