Weibern residents oppose planned construction waste landfill

Plans for a construction waste landfill on the boundary between Aistersheim and Weibern in the Grieskirchen district continue to face opposition, ORF reported. The Upper Austrian government is currently examining whether the project requires an environmental impact assessment.

The operator plans to begin depositing construction waste in 2028. The material would include Ethanit, mineral fibres and excavated soil that can no longer be taken to soil excavation landfills because it is contaminated with construction waste, project manager Karl Krischke of construction company Swietelsky said.

Residents fear the landfill could have long-term consequences for the region. Weibern Mayor Manfred Roithinger of the Austrian People’s Party called it a “final repository for hazardous waste” and said the planned size would place a significant burden on the region.

Aistersheim Mayor Johann Stockinger, also of the Austrian People’s Party, highlighted the expected increase in traffic. “We already have 5,000 vehicles travelling through the town, directly along routes to schools and kindergartens. That is obviously an issue that has already reached its limits in our town,” he said.

Calls for comprehensive assessment

The two municipalities are calling for a comprehensive and transparent assessment of the project. They say it should examine the potential effects on soil and water resources, as well as on nature, habitats and agriculture.

The traffic situation and the region’s long-term development should also be assessed, according to the mayors. They further want authorities to examine whether alternative locations or previously used and contaminated land would be more suitable for the facility.

The citizens’ initiative Lebenswerte Zukunft is also campaigning against the landfill. Its chairman, Hermann Anzengruber, criticised the planned location in open farmland and said such projects would worsen Upper Austria’s existing problem with the sealing of green spaces.

The initiative has hired a lawyer who specialises in such proceedings. Lawyer Wolfgang Proksch said Upper Austria had developed a “somewhat dubious reputation” in recent years as one of the provinces with the highest levels of land consumption, and was now apparently also seeking a reputation as the province with the most landfills.

Proksch also criticised the timing of the proceedings, saying the application had been submitted in the middle of summer. The first issue to be clarified is whether the project requires an environmental impact assessment.

Limited municipal influence

The municipalities see an additional difficulty in the legal process. Under Austria’s Waste Management Act, they have only limited opportunities to participate in the approval of construction waste landfills.

Opponents nevertheless intend to continue their campaign. The citizens’ initiative and its supporters say they have already spent around 20,000 euros on expert reports and legal advice.