STOISITS: QUARRY IN HOHENEMS
In June 2008 neighbours complained about the enlargement of a stone quarry in Hohenems in the province of Vorarlberg . The felt that additional quarrying activities towards the core of the mountain might lead to more noise and dust pollution, would potentially affect the water quality and would increase the danger of land slides.
After the broadcast, the Rhomberg company showed its willingness to find suitable solutions by communication with the residents. As a result, protective measures have been put into practise to reduce noise and dust emissions. In addition to this, authorities did not approve the company’s plans to expand quarrying to the mountain core. However, the ideal location of the stone quarry guarantees an optimum transport connection, which is why the enlargement process is still under way and the company now plans to widen the quarrying activities to a depth of 15 meters.
The residents admit that talks with the Rhomberg company in fact did lead to some improvements regarding the noise and dust emissions. They have also been pleased to hear that the planned enlargement to the mountain core was no longer an option. However, the company did not inform the residents about its plans to proceed quarrying to a depth of 15 meters, which could still lower the quality of the ground water.
During the lively studio discussion Ombudswoman Stoisits explained that she entirely understood the resident’s concerns and protest, as they kept facing different enlargement scenarios – most recently to a depth of 15 meters. The Austrian Ombudsman Board is going to press ahead with its investigation to ensure that the law is fully observed. Whenever necessary it will also provide advice on how the current legal situation could be improved.
Man with walking disability asks for better vehicle access to his residence
13 years ago Mr. L. suffered stroke leaving him with a severe walking disability. As a consequence Mr. L. needs to be taken to and from his residence by car. Unfortunately he lives in a traffic-reduced area of the city and needs a special permit guaranteeing him vehicle access to his building. Two such permits have been issued for the car of his wife and the car of his daughter-in-law. The permit however is bound to the license plate of each car. Every other car, e.g. the one of a friend or the car from a transport service for people with disabilities, risks a fine as soon as it enters the traffic-reduced zone without special permit. Mr. L. also has to re-apply for this permit every two years, even though his state of health is not going to improve.
Ombudswoman Stoisits criticised the disadvantages people with disabilities had to deal with and discussed the topic with representatives of the municipal authorities. She agreed that both authorities handled the case of Mr. L. correctly, as the above mentioned permit was bound to a vehicle and not a person. However, the reality of everyday life shows that this regulation clearly limits the mobility of the person concerned. The representatives of the City of Vienna explained possible ways to improve Mr. L.’s situation. On the one hand, his permit could be extended to more than two cars. On the other hand, the city of Vienna will examine the possibility of amending the existing regulations to give transport services for people with disabilities automatic access to traffic-reduced areas.
Ombudswoman Stoisits was pleased about the outcome of the studio discussion. However, she also emphasised the importance of a general solution for people with disabilities. As a consequence, she called upon the government to reconsider the current legal situation, especially regarding the fixed-term permits. Furthermore people with disabilities should generally be exempt from all costs concerning special access permits.