Hollabrunn plans flexible flood protection: New projects in sight!

Hollabrunn plans flexible flood protection: New projects in sight!

In Hollabrunn, a remarkable change in flood protection causes a stir. As reports KURIER.AT, the municipality will in future be responsible for deciding individually how much it pays the landowners for flood protection areas. This flexibility is intended to give negotiations with the owners new swing and thus enable more success in the basic revenue. City Councilor Lukas Niedermayer (ÖVP) underlines that this measure is not only necessary, but also in times of financial challenges of the coalition of the ÖVP and SPÖ, new flood protection projects should pave the way.

"There are already some completed studies on flood protection projects, and more are still running," explains Niedermayer. The flood protection between Oberfellabrunn and Hollabrunn is particularly urgent to protect facilities such as the Hollabrunner Reitzentrum and the “Sonnendach” association, which have been flooded several times last year. The continuous exchange with the landowners, according to environmental councilor Sandra Damböck-Lehr (SPÖ), remains of central importance.

planned measures and collaborations

The municipality has already initiated talks with ASFINAG to discuss additional retention measures on the Weinviertler expressway S3. This collaboration shows first positive results that indicate a common understanding of the problem. "We want to work on solutions together," said Niedermayer. The cancellation of the previous price lid should not mean that the municipality increases with no measure and target for the prices for the areas; Rather, the amount will depend on the size of the area and the importance of the respective project.

Another connection in the promotion of flood protection measures is the funding according to the Austria GAP strategy plan Austria 2023-2027. In this context, measures to reduce flood risks are supported, which aim at the management of these risks, for example. Funding of up to 80 percent of the investment costs are intended for various activities, including the creation of hazard notification cards and management plans, such as [foerderzentrum.at] (https://www.foerderzentrenter.at/foerung-rueckshmen-zum-schutz-vor-nature danger).

perspectives for the future

There are exciting times, since both the municipality as well as the funding programs of the EU and national guidelines aim to further improve flood protection. This is the overarching goal of the funding programs to minimize negative consequences for health, settlement areas and infrastructure. The support offers are tailored to the EU Highwater Directive, which underlines the relevance and benefits of these measures.

The new flexibility in basic reductions and the projects already being planned are clear steps in the right direction. One can only hope that these initiatives not only increase flood protection, but also raise awareness of the challenges of climate change and the associated water management issues. Further information on these funding programs is also available on [nlwkn.de] (https://www.nlwkn.niedersachsen.de/startsite/wasserwirtschaft/fordprograms_fur_u-wendungen/treld_HWS_KLARA/HOCHWASTERSCHUSTER Grant guidelines can be found.