Wiedemar: Citizens' decision against industrial area creates new tensions!

Wiedemar: Citizens' decision against industrial area creates new tensions!

Wiedemar. The municipal council officially confirmed the citizens' decision of September 1, 2024 on Thursday evening, but the discussions about the planned industrial provision area (IVG) are anything but over. On a huge area of 400 hectares, which extends between the districts of Pohritzsch, Zschernitz and Storkwitz, the future of the area could soon be back on the brink.

The explosive situation: the citizens' decision is only binding for three years! This means that the plans for the IVG could come back on the table again in 2027. Work on the planning has been stopped since the beginning of August, while the community was waiting for the result of the citizens' decision. In doing so, immense 3.7 million euros have already been invested in the development of the development plan and the development concept, and a subsidiary of the Free State of Saxony was founded to advance the area of space.

Over 65 percent against industrial area

The result of the citizens' decision speaks volumes: over 65 percent of the voters spoke against the IVG. With a turnout of 74.61 percent, around 3,300 votes were around 2100 against the project. A citizens' initiative that has formed against the IVG sees itself reinforced by this clear vote. Mayor Steve Ganzer (CDU) emphasized the importance of accepting the election result, and thanked everyone involved for the intensive discussion, which was held despite some conflicts. "There were many great conversations," said Ganzer, "but also critical that shouldn't have been."

The citizens' initiative "No industrial area" remains vigilant and sees the three years as a significant period. "Three years are three years!" Said one member of the initiative. In view of the clear rejection of the IVG by the population, it is hard to imagine that the opinion could change fundamentally during this time.