Project cable car Kahlenberg: Court decides on the environmental examination

Project cable car Kahlenberg: Court decides on the environmental examination

The “Kahlenberg cable car” project, a project that causes violent discussions in Vienna, is again the focus of public and legal disputes. The idea of building a cable car from Heiligenstadt via the Danube Island to Floridsdorf and back on the Kahlenberg has both supporters and opponents. While GENIAL Tourismus- & Projektentwicklung GmbH (GTP) advertises the project, several environmental organizations have bundled to proceed.

In May this year, the city of Vienna decided that no environmental impact assessment (RRP) was necessary for the cable car. This decision initially seemed to many as the green light for the project. But the opposing groups, including "Alliance for Nature" (AFN) and others, don't see it that way. You submitted a complaint to the Vienna State Government in June after you did not agree with this decision.

progress of the legal examination

On October 4, an oral hearing took place before the Federal Administrative Court (BVWG), in which the project opponents once again expressed their concern for the environment. Christian Schuhböck, Secretary General of AFN, expressed his conviction that the court should take up the complaint. "For the" Kahlenberg cable car "for the project, an environmental impact assessment must be carried out in order to adequately take into account the possible negative effects on protected areas, the landscape and protected animal species," said Schuhböck.

The lawyers from the List law firm, which represent the project opponents, are optimistic that the court will repeal the previous decision. Fiona List referred to a similar cable car project in Genoa, in which the EU Commission also ordered a RRP. "We believe that such a procedure must also be carried out for our project, as it is in a similar context." This supports the hope of the opponents that the legal framework in Vienna will also be handled similarly strictly.

If the Federal Administrative Court does not take up the complaint, the plaintiffs are considering intervene in the European Court of Justice in order to examine the agreement of the declaration notice with the guidelines of the European Union. "In this case, we need all legal options," said AFN explanation. Failure in front of the European Court of Justice would offer the opportunity to continue the case to the Administrative Court.

The conflict over the "Kahlenberg cable car" shows not only as a legal dispute, but also as a social debate about the use and preservation of natural habitats in urban areas. While some consider the project to promote tourism, others see the risk of damage to one -off landscapes and ecosystems.

Further information on the current developments in this topic can in one article www.meinbezirk.at can be read.