The German billionaire Henkel family has been hunting tenants in the Kaisertal near Kufstein for 70 years. If the Greens-led Tyrolean Environment Commission has its way, this should now be an end. ÖVP and NEOS do not agree with the approach and are increasing the pressure.
The extension – or in this case non-renewal – of the yacht contract to billionaire Henkel will not take effect until next year, but the issue is already becoming more explosive. Because it involves a lot of money for the city coffers, prominent names and one of the most idyllic places in Tyrol: the Kaisertal, which was named the most beautiful place in Austria in 2016 in the ORF program “Nine Places, Nine Treasures”. .
Critical examination of the allegations
Until now, the issue of hunting leases has been dealt with at the level of the Greens-led environmental committee, the authorities and the city council. It was decided not to renew the lease that has existed for 70 years. The prominent hunting tenant was accused of everything from not meeting the shooting quota to the poor condition of the forest and endangering the drinking water supply. It remains to be seen whether all this will stand up to scrutiny.
Invitation only afterwards
Environmental officer Thimo Fiesel invites the municipality to an information meeting next Tuesday. Fiesel is no stranger to Tyrol; he was state manager and secretary general of the Greens. NEOS state parliamentarian Birgit Obermüller and deputy municipal councilor Richard Salzburger criticize his approach: “Only offering the meeting after the municipal council’s decision is actually too late,” they say.
More transparency: ÖVP and NEOS increase the pressure
Only after pressure from the opposition was Fiesel willing to invite external experts. “The list of invitees includes many forestry experts, but only one hunting expert,” says Obermüller, who criticizes another shortcoming. “We demand that the short-sighted decision, which may have been based on personal sensitivities, be reconsidered and that the city council be referred to it. The entire hunting community of Kufstein and large parts of the population are outraged by the proposal to put pressure on the city budget in the future,” ÖVP and NEOS said in unison.
Mayor: Kaisertal always interesting
Due to self-management in the form of its own yacht, the city not only misses out on rental income of 40,000 euros per year, but also incurs significant costs. Mayor Martin Krumschnabel says that these can be recouped through the sale of hunting tickets: “The Kaisertal is always interesting!” The fact that the municipality is involved is “no problem” for him. For him, it’s about the forest and the water: “You can’t compensate that with money!”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
