“The entire thing should be handled correctly. Nevertheless it was all the time clear to me: if I’m reported as mayor, I’ll resign,” says Johann Müllner in an interview with the OÖN. The grievance was submitted to the municipal supervisory authority (Directorate of Inside and Municipal Affairs) in Could, and Müllner is accused of “lack of supervision and management within the improvement of the resettlement areas in Hagenau.” Müllner resigned from workplace on June 1st: “I wish to stay innocent as mayor. It’s disagreeable sufficient to need to face this as a personal particular person.” Deputy mayor Sabine Zoidl will take over the workplace, and new elections will probably be held within the autumn.
What’s allowed in a flood zone?
The historical past goes again to 2013. Originally of June, Higher Austria was hit by a flood of the century. The results have been dramatic. One of many locations worst affected was Goldwörth, particularly the Hagenau district. The water was as much as three meters excessive, the clean-up work took a very long time, and far was destroyed. 200 Goldwörth residents have been relocated, a couple of stayed. The plots of land have been step by step bought. “Throughout the pandemic, these areas have been extremely popular,” says Müllner. The newcomers planted gardens and arrange caravans. The municipality has introduced in writing that they’re in a hazard zone: “We now have drawn consideration to this very rigorously. In spite of everything, we’re vulnerable to flooding two to 3 instances a 12 months.”
“We now have not issued any constructing permits, there have been no constructing notifications. However the legislation permits for some leeway. It’s not the case that every little thing is forbidden in a resettlement or flood zone,” stated Müllner. However, there are actually completely different views, which led to the official grievance: “This should now be handled correctly.”
Picture: Weihbold
“}”>
Picture: Weihbold
Müllner says he’s not indignant: “I’ll keep on the council and help my successor.” There may be nonetheless quite a bit to do when it comes to flood safety, the ring wall that’s supposed to guard Goldwörth sooner or later is being deliberate. And for the time being individuals are on guard anyway, the water ranges are rising. This nonetheless leaves a foul feeling, says Müllner, who has been finding out water ranges and waves extra carefully than virtually every other mayor since 2013: “We predict a small wave, however we’re ready.”
Writer
Barbara Eidenberger
Head of On-line/Digital Media and Higher Austria/Regional
Barbara Eidenberger