Youths meet with government to discuss White Rocks plans

Young people from three youth organisations have met with government representatives to discuss proposals to transform Pembroke’s White Rocks complex into a national park.

In a statement Tuesday, the environment ministry said meetings had been held with representatives from the National Youth Council (KNZ), Society for Architecture & Civil Engineering Students (SACES) and the Youth Advisory Forum (YAF).

Youth representatives discussed bringing together concepts of “art, sport, farm-to-fork concepts, diverse cultures and subcultures and nature” in the park’s design.

The statement noted that the complex is 369,000 square metres, with structures occupying 38% of the land, and is divided into three zones: built-up areas, the coast and mixed garrigue and agricultural land.

Young people stressed the potential of the site for relaxation, while also providing space for environmental education and commercial activities. They also advocated the use of sustainable energy for the planned park and the importance of good governance.

Youth representatives stressed the need for “diverse transport options” to enable access to the park by land and sea, including solutions such as park-and-ride facilities, shuttle services and direct connections to the University of Malta.

Environment Minister Miriam Dalli said the representatives were “not just important stakeholders, but key partners in these projects. Their ideas, energy, and commitment are essential to shaping proposals”.

Project Green COO Beverley Costa said, “The innovative ideas of youths help us design a holistic space for people of all ages”.

This is not the first time young people have been consulted on government works; last month, the transport minister approved a Junior College student council proposal to build a pedestrian bridge linking the two Kulleġġ bus stops at Msida.

It later emerged that an Infrastructure Malta proposal for the same solution had already been shot down five years ago, after facing pushback from the Msida and Pietà local councils, the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage, Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee, NGO Rota and residents.