The administrative court rejected the city’s complaint and revoked the permit for the refurbishment of the Mur bank. The next steps are now being discussed at City Hall. Is the bay even being dismantled now?
Sunbathers, cyclists pausing, newlyweds cooing on the park bench or children playing and cooling off in the Mur – on days like these, the Augartenbucht is an oasis in the hot asphalt jungle of the Mur metropolis. For many grazers, the bay has become an integral part of the cityscape. But that could be the end soon.
Because at the beginning of the week, mail that sounded pretty good fluttered into the town hall. The administrative judge rejected the municipality’s objection and withdrew the water law permit for the construction of the bay. Is it my black building after all, as environmentalists have repeatedly pointed out?
No party status for NGOs
The fact is that NGOs such as the Nature Conservation Union were already right by the administrative court last year – they should have been given party status in the 2019 Bay proceedings. The city has objected. But the VwGH adhered to it – the water law permit is revoked. According to Krone’s request, the conservation approval process is still ongoing, but experts expect a similar outcome.
So what’s next in the Augarten? In any case, the Supreme Court ruling contains a lot of explosives. Even an environmental impact assessment could now be started retroactively. In the worst case scenario, there is even a threat of dismantling the bay. “We have repeatedly and very emphatically warned against allowing the project to proceed so quickly without proper environmental assessments,” said Judith Schwentner, deputy mayor in charge of the project.
Will the next level of escalation follow?
Next week the next steps will become clear. “The population accepts the bay very well – there is no doubt about that. Now conservationists have to decide if they want the next level of escalation,” explains Verena Ennemoser, head of the city’s presidential division.
You feel a certain satisfaction with the conservation association: “Now it’s about following the rule of law – the law must remain the law. In any case, we will continue to follow the case,” promises Vice President Romana Ull.
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.
