Renaturation project

Sunken river to be uncovered in Oberwart

Currently, the Wehoferbach in Oberwart still flows underground in the Badgasse area. But that is set to change.(Bild: Wirtschaftshof)

The town of Oberwart is planning a comprehensive renaturation project in the center of the town. The Wehoferbach will be unsealed and brought back to the surface. Instead of parking spaces, there will then be a green oasis in the middle of the town center.

The topic has been on everyone's lips since Minister Gewessler's "yes" to the EU renaturation law, which brought her coalition partner ÖVP and the farmers' association to the barricades. In Oberwart, too, great importance is attached to the "yes" to more greenery in the town center. Specifically, it is about the town's plans to uncover the "sunken" branch of the Wehoferbach stream in the area of the outdoor pool.

Until the 1980s, the Wehoferbach was routed above ground through Badgasse.(Bild: Ingrid Toth)

In the 1980s, this was closed off as part of a flood protection measure. At the time, an open channel in the middle of the town center was also considered too great a safety risk. Today, we know better and this is not least due to the noticeable consequences of climate change, which are exacerbated in cities by soil sealing and dense development.

Building has suffered massive damage
However, the fact that this project is now being tackled is also due to the fact that the structure has suffered massive corrosion damage over the past 40 years, explains Roland Poiger, Head of Office. Excessive humidity has severely damaged the cladding. As a result, the parking spaces on top have also recently had to be closed. If everything goes according to plan, the subsidized renaturation measure will start as early as next year. The Wehoferbach - a tributary of the Pinka - will then be uncovered along Badgasse as far as the town hotel, and the entrance to the outdoor pool, kindergarten and houses will be connected by bridges. Incidentally, the project will cost around 2 million euros.

Successful renaturation project. Completed in 2017, the measure near the Pinka protects the town of Oberwart from flooding and is a popular excursion destination for nature lovers.(Bild: Norbert Husbauer)

City of Oberwart as a role model for urban oases 
For the city, it would be another "urban oasis" after the city garden was converted into the green heart of the city at a cost of EUR 1.6 million last year. With success, as city boss Georg Rosner says with regard to the cooling effect. The difference in temperature is clearly noticeable. "More greenery makes life in a city more pleasant and by uncovering the stream, we are once again ensuring a better quality of life and more climate protection at the same time," says Rosner.