LH deputy Pernkopf: 15,500 square meters of valuable land unsealed again
St.Pölten (OTS) – A year ago, the state of Lower Austria introduced an important measure against unnecessary soil sealing with the blue-yellow soil bonus. Unsealing and sponge city projects are funded, primarily by municipalities. There is great demand, twelve projects have already been submitted for the blue-yellow land bonus and some have already been implemented. “The blue-yellow land bonus is one of our flagship projects, which other federal states are now also following. The first twelve unsealing and sponge city projects are being funded with a total of 1.3 million euros,” says LH deputy Stephan Pernkopf, drawing a positive conclusion. Just last week, the state of Styria presented a similar initiative.
The goal is to tear up sealed surfaces again and make them permeable to water. So far it has been 15,500 square meters. The natural functions of the soil are largely restored by unsealing and, after completion, partial design with paving, grass pavers, water-bound ceilings as well as green and water areas. On hot days this means a cooler environment, especially with plants that are suitable for the climate. During heavy rain events, rainwater can seep away instead of polluting the sewage system. Examples of funding with the blue-yellow soil bonus include the city center of Amstetten, which will be converted into a green celebration, relaxation and relaxation zone by the end of 2025 with 100 trees in a special substrate that makes water and air available to them. The Schlossplatz in Bad Vöslau, which has already been converted into a multifunctional city square with tree and green islands as well as a water feature, or the Nibelungenplatz in Tulln, which, thanks to previous citizen participation, will be transformed from a parking space into a large local recreation area in the middle of the city by the end of next year.
By 2025, the state and federal government will make six million euros available for funding projects as part of the blue-yellow land bonus. “The demand is great. In the last twelve months, we have answered 60 inquiries about project plans through our municipal funding center and clarified all funding options for the communities,” said Dr. Herbert Greisberger, Managing Director of the Lower Austrian Energy and Environmental Agency, which coordinates the blue-yellow land bonus on behalf of the state. The funding advice also takes into account funding that can be combined with the blue-yellow soil bonus, such as the federal funding for “land recycling” and the special funding for “climate-green local and meeting centers in Lower Austria communities” from the state of Lower Austria together with the Nature in the Garden initiative. If you include these funding, the number of supported projects rises to more than 25. Since the summer, initial consultation has also been offered for communities so that rough ideas can develop into concrete project plans.
Further information: Energy and Environment Agency of the State of Lower Austria, press spokesman Stefan Kaiser, mobile +43 676 83 688 569 stefan.kaiser@enu.at, www.enu.at
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