Citizens' survey on wind power in Pyhra: A step against area consumption?

Citizens' survey on wind power in Pyhra: A step against area consumption?

In Pyhra, the discussion about a possible wind farm at the Amerlingkogel is newly flamed. The state of Lower Austria recently revised the spatial planning program for wind power use, which the market town continues to include. This could mean that if a corresponding project is presented, the controversies that have lasted for years will revive. However, Mayor Monika Fischer has made it clear that there is currently no concrete project in sight. In order to accommodate any concerns of the citizens, the municipal council has decided to carry out a citizens' survey, there should be a specific building application.

The last council meeting was postponed due to a flood disaster and was extremely heated, especially when the topic of citizen survey was discussed. "We currently have no projects. But if a prospect appear in the future, we will ask the residents," said Mayor Fischer. This view is also supported by the SPÖ. Stefan Nagy, the SPÖ boss, states: "A citizen survey is an effective means of determining the will of the majority when the time comes."

concerns and emotions in the municipal council

Objection came from the NEOS, which brought a counter application to carry out the citizens' survey, which was, however, rejected. From the NEO's point of view, the market town has no longer influenced the possible construction of wind turbines due to the changes in planning. "The community should have completely deleted Pyhra. Now the decision is no longer with us. Even if the majority were against the construction, this would not have a legal commitment and the final decision lies with the country. We have no way to stop building," said Neos representative Anna Starkl and criticized the procedure of the local council.

The opinion of the NEOS did not remain unheard. The ÖVP and the SPÖ countered this criticism. Mayor Fischer refers to the view that the municipality is powerless: "The decision is still in the hands of the market town when a property developer appears. We will be based on the results of the citizens' survey." She also emphasized that the country had always respected the results of citizen surveys in the past. Nagy suspects that the NEOS aims at the upcoming local council elections in spring with their criticism.

The thought of a wind farm on Pyhra's highest elevation is not new. About ten years ago, plans for several wind turbines in the region triggered violent protests and led to the formation of a citizens' movement that was committed to maintaining the forests on the Amerlingkogel. This long history of the arguments shows the high emotional commitment of citizens in this region.

The FPÖ mandate Wilhelm Svoboda also commented and abstained from both the resolution to the citizens' survey and the counter application of the NEOS. "I see the arguments similar to the NEOS, but I think it makes sense to wait. I think we will be confronted with this topic in the future," said Svoboda about the current location.