Debate about renaturalisation of the eastern Hellbach valley
City of Beckum demands clear stance: special meeting scheduled
For this reason, a special meeting of the Urban Development Committee was convened for 9 July.
"The administration is currently implementing a repeatedly confirmed political decision to renaturalise the Hellbach," says Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich. Costs totalling around 300,000 euros have already been incurred for this. "If a majority now wants to take a different path, it needs a clear political decision - not just public statements," emphasised the mayor. The administration implements every decision loyally, just as it is currently implementing the decisions on renaturalisation. That is precisely its task, "my administration does not lead a life of its own".
Despite all the announcements, there has been no corresponding motion to date. "Deciding something and at the same time publicly campaigning against it - that is not a sustainable situation for such an important procedure. The special meeting now gives the political groups the opportunity to show their colours and provide clarity."
From the point of view of the administration, there are good, even compelling reasons for the planned renaturalisation. "The renaturation of the Hellbach is legally binding and must be implemented by 2033 at the latest," emphasises Dr Christian Hofbauer, Head of the Environment and Construction Department at the town of Beckum. "This has been confirmed by both the district of Warendorf and the NRW Ministry of the Environment."
The town of Beckum has to invest anyway, as the existing dam structure is in need of renovation. It is currently possible to cover 80 per cent of the costs for renaturalisation with subsidies. A simple renovation of the dam would not be eligible for funding and would only be permitted on a temporary basis at most. From the administration's point of view, it therefore makes economic sense to implement the renaturalisation now.
"The alternative would be to renovate the dam today without funding - only to carry out the mandatory renaturalisation a few years later, possibly without financial support," Hofbauer continues.
On the basis of the resolution passed by the Urban Development Committee on 5 March 2024, the city has initiated a water law procedure and has so far invested around 300,000 euros in planning and expert reports. Stopping the measure could have serious consequences: the loss of these funds, the withdrawal of urban development funding and considerable additional costs in the event of implementation being necessary at a later date anyway.
The administration therefore recommends adhering to the existing resolution and implementing the ecologically and urbanistically sensible redesign of the Hellbachtal.
Special meeting of the Urban Development Committee on 9 July
Since 11 June and until today, 9 July, citizens have had the opportunity to view the planning documents as part of the public exhibition and, if necessary, to submit written objections by 23 July.