Jason Micallef Hits Back At Ta’ Qali ‘Fake News’ As Protest Planned

Jason Micallef has addressed public concerns over the recent addition of gravel to the park’s popular picnic area, lambasting a lot of it as fake news.

Speaking in response to growing criticism and an upcoming protest organised by activist group Vuċi Kollettiva, Micallef emphasised that the gravel is part of routine maintenance and will not prevent grass from regenerating naturally during the autumn and winter months.

He explained that the intervention was carried out to reduce dust and improve conditions for families, sports enthusiasts, and visitors during the summer, when the soil becomes dry and loose.

‘FAKE NEWS and blatant lies that during the summer season, from June to the end of September, the picnic area in Ta’ Qali was completely covered in grass’, he said.

According to Micallef, this process follows established practices used in national parks abroad and ensures the long-term health and accessibility of the picnic grounds while allowing greenery to return after seasonal rains.

The statement comes in reaction to a planned protest picnic set for Saturday, 6 September, organised by Vuċi Kollettiva. The group has called attention to what they describe as the “loss of green space” in what they term the “green heart” of Malta.

Activists argue that the gravel covering diminishes the park’s recreational and environmental value, raising concerns over public access, children’s play areas, and community wellbeing.

The controversy has also been amplified by public figures, including actor Thomas Camilleri, who shared images contrasting the park’s lush past with its current gravel-covered appearance, criticising the decision and the perceived prioritisation of concert infrastructure over public greenery.

#MaltaDaily