An appeals court has recently confirmed the decision by the Administrative Review Tribunal to reject a move by the Lands Authority to take back a portion of a public garden that had been leased to Gżira local council.

The intended purpose of the space was to relocate a petrol station, which the Gżira council had contested.

The council, which had been managing the Yacht Marina Garden for over two decades, had argued before the tribunal that the garden was the only green space in a commercialised area where development had gone unchecked.

The council based its appeal on three grounds, including the Authority’s failure to consult with council representatives and the failure to administer the public property in the best manner possible.

Gżira Mayor Conrad Borg Manche welcomed the decision, thanking the media and those who had signed a petition to protect the garden.

Mayor Borg Manche has been fighting to prevent the Manoel Island Petrol Station from being relocated to the adjacent Ġnien Il-Kunsill Tal-Ewropa garden, taking up almost 1,000 square meters of green space in a highly urbanised area.

The Mayor has initiated five lawsuits on behalf of the Gżira Local Council to reverse the decision, which has been controversial and even caused tension within the Mayor’s own party, with party president Ramona Attard representing the Lands Authority in the legal battle.

Borg Manche accused the party of betraying its socialist principles by favouring speculators over the public’s needs. The Mayor has received support from the public, including a message from a lecturer who praised him for his efforts to protect the garden.

#MaltaDaily