Bormla garden project delayed amid €11m tender controversy

Environment Minister Miriam Dalli, who oversees the state agency Project Green, recently announced that the agency has finally launched a public tender to find contractors for a long-promised regeneration project in Bormla. The initiative aims to transform a small, neglected car park into a tranquil community garden and meditation space.

While the project was initially welcomed as part of a broader effort to revitalise urban areas in Malta’s south, the announcement has also reignited public criticism. Many residents and observers have noted that the project is being relaunched two years after Dalli had already declared that works would begin. The substantial cost—estimated at nearly €11 million—and the project’s long completion timeline have raised further questions about governance, spending, and accountability within Project Green.

A long-delayed urban regeneration project

Two years ago, Minister Dalli held a press conference in Bormla, near one of the historic entrances to the former Dockyard, to announce the creation of the green space. Standing before local media and community representatives, she had promised that work would begin in September 2023.

However, as of late 2025, no construction work has taken place. The site remains unchanged—still serving as a small, aging car park surrounded by dilapidated industrial structures.

The only tangible development since that original announcement was the issuance of a €1 million direct order to architect Edwin Mintoff. His task was to design the proposed garden and handle the required applications with the Planning Authority. That contract was granted under the direction of Project Green’s CEO, Joseph Cuschieri, a former Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) head who previously stepped down following a series of controversies.

Tender issued after two years of inactivity

Now, two years after the initial announcement, Project Green has finally opened a formal procurement process. Contractors are being invited to bid on the construction of the Bormla community garden and meditation space.

According to the tender documentation, the project’s cost is estimated at €11 million for an area of just 3,000 square metres, which is less than half the size of a standard football pitch. The relatively small scale of the site compared to the cost has attracted widespread criticism and confusion among local residents and environmental observers.

The tender outlines a completion target of 2028, assuming construction begins at the start of 2026. This means the garden—originally promised in 2023—may take five more years to materialize.

Plans for the Bormla garden project

Despite the delays, the government’s latest plans reveal ambitious features for the Bormla site. The proposal includes:

• An underground parking facility with space for approximately 240 cars
• A landscaped garden and meditation space constructed above the parking area
• The dismantling of a historic gantry crane, previously owned by the former Malta Drydocks

Officials have described the project as part of a broader urban renewal effort to create green public spaces in heavily built-up areas. However, environmental campaigners have questioned whether building a large underground car park undercuts the sustainability goals the project claims to promote.

Links to the American University of Malta project

Until recently, the car park earmarked for the garden formed part of a larger parcel of public land transferred to a Jordanian businessman involved in the American University of Malta (AUM).

That concession was part of an earlier deal under former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, which granted the developer large portions of land in Bormla and Zabbar for the establishment of the AUM campus. The Bormla plot was originally earmarked for a student dormitory.

However, the AUM project has struggled to meet the milestones required under its concession agreement. The university’s low student intake and missed targets led to widespread criticism and opposition from residents and civic groups.

In response to the backlash, current Prime Minister Robert Abela, who succeeded Muscat in 2020, reversed several of his predecessor’s decisions, including the planned dormitory development. The land was instead returned to public ownership and reallocated for community use—leading to the current proposal for a garden.

Ironically, the same architect responsible for the AUM dormitory design, Edwin Mintoff, has now been appointed to create the new garden design through a €1 million direct order from Project Green.

Concerns over Project Green’s management and spending

Since its establishment, Project Green has positioned itself as the government’s flagship agency for sustainability and urban greening. Yet, despite its ambitious name and multimillion-euro budget, critics argue that its achievements have been limited.

The agency has been repeatedly accused of prioritising high-cost, low-impact projects, while employing a growing number of individuals connected to the Labour Party or to its leadership.

Observers have also questioned the agency’s reliance on direct orders—contracts awarded without competitive tendering. The €1 million direct order to Mintoff for the Bormla project is one of several instances that have drawn public scrutiny.

The involvement of Joseph Cuschieri, previously forced to resign from the MFSA after travelling to Las Vegas with a businessman under criminal investigation, has added to the perception of poor governance. Critics have described Project Green as lacking transparency and failing to deliver measurable improvements to Malta’s environment.

Public reaction and accountability questions

Local residents in Bormla have expressed frustration at the delays, noting that they were told in 2023 that work would start within months. Instead, the project appears to be restarting from scratch.

Environmental organisations have also pointed out that the estimated €11 million cost is unusually high for such a small site, especially considering the agency’s limited track record. They argue that the funds could have supported multiple smaller greening projects across different towns.

Meanwhile, urban planners have questioned whether underground car parks beneath gardens align with environmental goals, given the carbon footprint of excavation and concrete construction.

Government officials have maintained that the Bormla project is a long-term investment in public well-being, stating that it will eventually “deliver a much-needed open space for the local community.” However, no explanation has been provided for the two-year delay since the original announcement.

Broader implications for Malta’s environmental policy

The Bormla garden project has become emblematic of broader concerns about Malta’s approach to urban planning, sustainability, and transparency in public procurement.

While the country continues to face a shortage of green spaces and open areas, especially in densely populated towns, progress on such projects has been slow. Project Green’s repeated delays and controversies have cast doubt on its effectiveness as a leading environmental agency.

Experts suggest that Malta’s environmental initiatives require stronger oversight, independent auditing, and more transparent tendering processes. They warn that without structural reform, projects like the Bormla garden risk becoming symbols of bureaucratic stagnation rather than examples of sustainable development.

Looking ahead

As Project Green moves forward with the tendering process, public attention is expected to remain focused on how the €11 million will be allocated, who will be awarded the contract, and whether construction timelines will finally be met.

For residents of Bormla, many of whom have waited years for tangible improvements to their urban environment, the hope is that this project will not become another unfulfilled government promise.

Whether Project Green can restore confidence through timely delivery and transparent governance will likely determine its credibility for future initiatives across Malta.

Conclusion

The saga of the Bormla garden project encapsulates many of the challenges facing Malta’s environmental governance today—ambitious plans undermined by administrative delays, questionable spending, and a lack of transparent communication. What began as a simple promise to deliver a community space for residents has evolved into a multi-million-euro project burdened by controversy and skepticism.

While Minister Miriam Dalli and Project Green continue to frame the initiative as a step toward greener, more liveable towns, the long delay and the project’s steep cost have eroded public confidence. Residents and environmental advocates alike now view the Bormla garden not merely as a local beautification effort, but as a test case for whether Malta’s institutions can manage public funds responsibly and deliver sustainable development without political interference.

If Project Green is to regain credibility, it must demonstrate transparency at every stage of the tendering and construction process, ensure fair procurement practices, and engage meaningfully with the local community. Delivering tangible progress—rather than recycled promises—will be essential.

Ultimately, the success of the Bormla project will depend not only on the quality of its design or the greenery it brings but also on whether it restores public faith in Malta’s environmental priorities. A genuine commitment to accountability and sustainable urban planning could turn what is now a symbol of delay into a model of renewal for future generations.

FAQs

What is the Bormla garden project?
It is a regeneration project by Project Green to turn a small car park in Bormla into a public garden and meditation space built over an underground car park.

Who is leading the project?
The project is overseen by Environment Minister Miriam Dalli under the state agency Project Green.

How much will the project cost?
The total estimated cost is around €11 million for a 3,000-square-metre site.

When is the project expected to be completed?
According to the tender documents, the completion target is set for 2028.

Why has the project been delayed?
Although announced in 2023, no work was initiated for two years. The reasons for the delay have not been clearly explained.

Who designed the Bormla garden plans?
Architect Edwin Mintoff designed the project after receiving a €1 million direct order from Project Green.

What was previously planned for the site?
The site was originally earmarked for a student dormitory under the American University of Malta project before being reassigned for community use.

Why has the cost been criticised?
Critics argue that €11 million is excessive for a small project covering less than half a football field.

What is Project Green’s role in Malta?
Project Green is a government agency tasked with promoting sustainability and urban greening projects across the country.

What are the main concerns about Project Green?
Critics cite lack of transparency, excessive spending, and limited environmental impact despite significant public investment.