Hollabrunn: Opposition leaves the local council and endangered the future plan!

Hollabrunn: Opposition leaves the local council and endangered the future plan!

Hollabrunn, Österreich - An unusual picture recently offered itself in the Hollabrunn City Hall. The non -public meeting of the local council was suddenly set at the beginning of the agenda, and the planned community development concept 2040 hiked to the end - an unusual step that caused excitement. The green opposition, the FPÖ and the Scharinger list left the session prematurely, which was significantly impaired by the quorum and was an unpleasant signal for the members of the ÖVP and SPÖ present. ÖVP City Councilor Marlis Schmidt said that the concept was developed over two years with the active participation of the population and thus meets the claim to political transparency.

Green councilor Georg Ecker criticized the procedure and highlighted several defects in the concept. Among other things, he pointed out a non -existent road in the traffic concept. In addition, he indicated three main reasons, which, in his opinion, question the quorum of the concept: firstly, the use of flood areas as potential building land, secondly the designated fields with the best credit rating and thirdly the lack of clear limits for future reconciliations. FPÖ City Councilor Werner Kral joined the concerns and spoke of disregarding the statements.

The way to the community development concept

The process for creating the local development concept for Hollabrunn was not without challenges. After a break lasting over a year due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the current status of the concept was first presented to the municipal council members on May 19, 2021. The approach of actively involving the citizens involved in the planning process is of central importance. Among other things, central questions about the future population, economic priorities and spatial development are dealt with by 2040. The development concept should serve as a binding guide for future decisions in spatial planning to enable proactive measures, such as the early clarification of location issues for a new kindergarten. Budget of approx. 200,000 euros, which will flow back in the future by targeted decisions.

Before the vote, the opposition offered the possibility for discussion, which, according to the SPÖ, was repelled. For Vice Mayor Alexander Eckhardt, it is important to promote political dialogue, especially in times when so many developments are on the table. He explained that the goal was to make Hollabrunn the most livable community in Lower Austria. This project requires an open ear for all votes, even if this means to have to deal with critical comments.

Citizen participation as the key to success

Citizen participation is not just a catchphrase, but an essential component in the context of a community development concept (GEK). Such concepts clarify many questions and conflicts in advance and create clear expectations for administration and citizens, a look at other municipalities, such as Linkenheim-Hochstetten, where citizens have been intensively integrated. Comprehensive inventory and the integration of the citizens can significantly increase the acceptance of the concept. A lively exchange can help to realize lighthouse projects, which then serve as role models for the implementation of further ideas.

The debate in Hollabrunn emphasizes the need for a transparent and participatory approach in the planning and implementation of the community development concept 2040. It remains to be seen whether the city will successfully master this step and bring all the players to a table. However, it is clear that the opinions of the citizens are required.