Wied iż-Żurrieq quay could get a new ticket booth and room for divers

The quay at Wied iż-Żurrieq could undergo refurbishment works, alongside the construction of a new ticket booth used by Blue Grotto operators and covered boat storage for fishermen.

The planning application (PA 5472/24), filed by the Public Works Department, also proposes the construction of public toilets, as well as the creation of a parking and kitting area for scuba divers.

The site, which covers around 1,000 square metres, can be accessed via Triq Congreve and includes a concrete quay and a staircase. It lies outside the development zone.

Nearby is it-Torri ta’ Xutu, a Grade 1 protected military tower. Surrounding the site is also agricultural land, garrigue and a small built-up area for residential, fishing, and commercial buildings. 

What is being proposed?

Under the proposal, the "deteriorated" quay surface and staircase would be demolished and reconstructed.

The existing ticket booth would also be demolished and replaced with a new structure incorporating a toilet and kitchenette. Public toilets would be built adjacent to the ticket booth, with the building featuring photovoltaic panels on the roof.

At present, many boats are left exposed to the elements. The project, therefore, also includes the construction of a covered boat storage area.

To accommodate the new facilities, structural works would involve rock excavation beneath the road and the construction of reinforced concrete foundations, walls, and roofing.

A parking area reserved for divers, along with a kitting area, would be located above the boat storage facility.

The proposal allocates 75 square metres to a ticketing booth and operator facilities, 402 square metres to a diver parking and kitting area, 219 square metres to covered boat storage for fishermen, and 118 square metres to enhanced quay space.

The application also notes that Works will be carried out during the winter period in a phased sequence to minimise disruption.

Following an environmental impact assessment, the Environment and Resources Authority raised no objection to the proposal. 

It stated that the project is not expected to have a significant impact on nearby Natura 2000 sites and would not involve any operational discharges into the sea during the construction phase.

The popular tourist site has had problems in the past with sewage runoff.

Last year, sewage was trickling down to the sea from cracks in a wall. Tourist boat operators complained to Times of Malta, saying that the smell is sending tourists away and putting their health at risk.

In 2023, Qrendi mayor David Schembri said the lack of a sewage system means the area sometimes “smells like diarrhoea.”