Noting Victoria’s “unique” position, Brian Azzopardi, recently elected mayor of Gozo’s capital city, said that he aims to see a cleaner, safer and more convenient locality.
Victoria is at the heart of the sister island, and provides a link to most other villages, acting as a passageway for people who do not need to go there, but who must drive through on their way to their destination. With all this influx of traffic, including visitors arriving by buses (whose routes all eventually meet in Victoria), Victoria has been put under a lot of pressure. Understanding that local budgeting is provided dependent on residents per capita and not visitors, Victoria is “disadvantaged”.
Azzopardi, elected on the Nationalist Party’s ticket, told The Malta Independent on Sunday that his first priority is cleaning Victoria and focusing on the removal of trash. “If Victoria is dirty, Gozo is dirty,” he said, adding that “we are the façade of Gozo”. Before even having been sworn in yet, Azzopardi had already started a campaign of touring the streets of Victoria and deep-cleaning them, alongside the help of EcoGozo and the Minister of Gozo.
When asked about the recent complaints that the government is taking power away from the local councils, Azzopardi responded by saying that “it’s natural that those who pass the law would fear those that could take their place. I think they are afraid [of the local councils]”, although, he has confirmed that Victoria has received ample support from the government, and has been treated fairly – considering his council is PN.
That does not come without limits however, as he expresses his frustration regarding certain issues continually being raised to him, that are out of the council’s hands.
For example, residents of Triq il-Mitħna have been complaining to the council for years, urging that their street be tarmacked. However, this issue is under the government's jurisdiction, while the council can only refurbish streets that are already tarmacked. Azzopardi has also been very vocal about urging the government to take action on the situation in St George’s Square (below), a small, secluded and quiet area taken over by local businesses. Currently, the council must hand-deliver notices each time they need to inform businesses to clear tables and chairs for a funeral or wedding. However, these notices are often ignored.
Azzopardi confirms he is working closely with the respective authorities to build a “master plan” in order to free up a number of roads. “I’m neither for nor against the shops being there, but a balance is required” continuing by adding bitterly that “it’s degrading” to have to pass on a stretcher through all those people just to reach an ambulance that cannot access the area.
Another issue lying outside of the council’s jurisdiction is an empty plot near the skate park, which has been regarded as an “eyesore” by locals. This area, with the original permits issued back in 2012, was supposed to become a football club; however, it has turned into a deserted lot of land surrounded by netting and fencing. The court cases holding up this development are ongoing, issued by locals of that street who do not wish for the extra disturbance it could potentially bring to an already bustling area.
Not all is being held up in regards to development, as the Victoria mayor adds that the National Pool seems finally to be near completion with the façade being added currently. This new development will surely please Gozitans, and more importantly, the local waterpolo team, Otters A.S.C., which has to travel to the national pool in Gżira each day for training during the winter months.
Another prominent issue within Victoria, much like in the rest of Malta, is parking and traffic. With most Gozitans and other visitors having to pass from Victoria to get anywhere else, Republic Street certainly lacks joy during peak commuting hours. Given that the largest primary school in Gozo has recently relocated to that same street, which also contains the middle school, secondary school, sixth form and Gozo’s 2 main shopping centres, the traffic will only increase from September. A museum and childcare centre are also expected to be opening soon on that road.
In Labour’s manifesto for the Victoria local council elections, there were promises of bike lanes in the central streets although, Azzopardi disputed this by saying the city lacks any space for this to be implemented, nor enough cyclists for it to be warranted. On the other hand, he has confirmed he is currently working on other “ambitious” projects to rejuvenate Victoria.
For one, plans are in place to redirect traffic around the borders of Victoria, by laying a new road between Gorg Pisani Street and Belliegħa Street. A widening of Patri Gacintu Camenzuli street should also occur to help reduce the traffic. With these plans, cars can avoid Republic Street while still easily travelling to and from northern villages. An idea to implement a minibus scheme is also on Azzopardi’s agenda. Minibuses would tour around Gozo, bringing people (aimed mostly at the elderly) into Victoria for their needs, including church, shopping, health services and other needs found only in the city. To complement this, a residents-only parking scheme would be introduced, as already seen in areas such as Valletta and Senglea.
Finally, Azzopardi hopes to one day completely overhaul St Augustine Square. While understanding that this would be a massive project, with collaboration and funding from the government, the promotion of green spaces is still at the forefront of Azzopardi’s goals for Victoria. Where there is currently a parking lot, would be turned into an open green space for residents to enjoy, while creating an underground parking area directly beneath it. Azzopardi calls the square “the most aesthetically pleasing square in Victoria, […] with the old houses, monastery and church” and hopes for everyone to appreciate it as such.
When asked about his future goals in politics, Azzopardi replied “I feel honoured to have been chosen by the residents of Victoria. I know expectations are very high, and so, at this stage I feel concentrated totally on Victoria”.