Breaking News: Graz Municipal Council Faces Budget Challenges and Key Decisions
Budget Outlook for 2025 Sparks Debate
Even before the last Graz municipal council meeting before the summer break, the budget outlook for 2025 has sparked discussion. The strategy report for 2025, set to be presented on Thursday, foresees significant financial challenges. The state of Styria has announced it will support the city’s financing needs of up to 300 million euros, with a potential tripling of the cashier to cover up to 150 million euros.
However, Deputy Governor Manuela Khom (ÖVP) and State Councilor Stefan Hermann (FPÖ) have called for further austerity measures, with Anna Hopper, chairwoman of the Graz VP club, echoing their sentiments: “Cheating through and continuing to keep it up must have an end.”
The City Hall coalition, on the other hand, attributes the financial strain to one-sided tax reforms and austerity measures imposed by the federal government and the state, which have created considerable additional burdens for municipalities. Finance Councilor Manfred Eber (KPÖ) emphasizes the need to continue the chosen path without endangering socially relevant structures.
Wastewater Renovations and Development Plans
The other points on the agenda are far less contentious. Numerous funding contracts for wastewater disposal systems in Graz and hydraulic renovations in Mariatrost are to be approved. This includes reducing mixed water quantities in the Mariatroster Bach and constructing a congestion water canal under Hilmteichstrasse, with costs estimated at almost 9.3 million euros, of which 8.8 million euros are expected to be eligible for funding.
Several development plans and a change in the area dedication plan are also on the table, particularly affecting the so-called red and yellow danger zones. The city libraries are to receive 268,400 euros for the years 2025 to 2026, with 201,300 euros allocated for 2025 and 67,100 euros for 2026. Additionally, a park in the Puntigam district at Hafnerstraße 33 is to be named the Annemarie-Zdarsky-Park, in honor of the social democratic politician who served as the second president of the Styria President from 1980 to 1989.
Traffic and Community Updates
In other news, the traffic debate in Eggenberg has been postponed to autumn, and there is ongoing discussion about expanding dung buckets for Grazer Annenstrasse. The district council is also advocating for the Augartenbad to remain open until midnight, with waves of support from the community.
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