Hitzy dispute over Iselsteg: Lienz municipal council in turmoil!

Hitzy dispute over Iselsteg: Lienz municipal council in turmoil!

On July 23, 2025, there were tumultuous discussions during the municipal council meeting in Lienz, which were mainly related to the topic of waste management. The session focused on the voor-beaten establishment of a "photo point" on the Iselsteg, an application from the ÖVP, which caused a lot of hectic pace. Mandatarin Eva Karré demanded this photo station in the middle of the bridge, which would be associated with costs of 25,000 euros. City architect Klaus Seirer pointed out the urgency of the decision because the schedule for the construction work was stuck. When voting on the agenda, however, the ÖVP failed due to the necessary two-thirds majority, which further fueled the discussion about the project.

Ursula Strobl from Team Lienz also brought the proposal to widen the Iselsteg as part of the flood construction. This could increase security for cyclists and pedestrians, especially for older people and children. Strobl argued that cyclists could be a potential danger on the Iselsteg. Her idea found support with Franz Theurl and Mayor Elisabeth Blanik, who, however, criticized that the discussion was more like a "Kasperltheater". The municipal council had already had to vote in three steps about the application: urgency, agenda and approval.

flood protection project isel

At the same time, a large flood protection project in Lienz is on the table. This includes an invested sum of 83.5 million euros over five years and protects around 100 buildings and 150,000 square meters of space. According to information, the federal government has 85 percent of the investment, while the municipality of Lienz takes over 15 percent and a special contribution. Federal Minister Norbert Tettschnig, LHStV Josef Geisler and Mayor Blanik recently set the first official step towards this extensive project with a groundbreaking ceremony.

The planned construction measures include seating levels on the water, the renewal of the Iselsteg without a pillar in the river and the creation of a new promenade on the right -hand. In addition, the Isel river bed is placed over a kilometer in length by up to 2.5 meters deep to better protect the city from flooding. Historical flood events, as in 1965 and 2020, illustrate the need for such measures.

Problem of literary

Another important topic addressed at the session concerns littering. Despite a comprehensive waste management and disposal offer, the carelessly turns into a problem in Austria, especially in Lienz, the carelessness. A study by the Federal Austrian Federal Environment Agency from 2018 showed that around 4,500 tons of waste ended in nature annually. In 2023, a district-wide collection campaign was initiated by the waste management association under the motto "TU-E-Tag" in order to actively counteract this problem.

The results of these efforts and the upcoming construction projects will be of great importance for environmental protection and citizens, since they promise a safer and cleaner city.