Until last week, the choice seemed to be between two options: building east of the current industrial estate, where the village is now located, or south-east of the industrial estate, which would probably allow the village to remain.
These two options were the subject of four studies by the province. The results are expected this or next week. The third option is not included. Will Members of Parliament be able to make a good decision later?
Role of province
In a few weeks, the Provincial Council will debate developments surrounding the energy supply in Moerdijk and the future of the village. Although the government must ultimately decide on the project, the province also sits at the table with the municipality and the water board.
In June, the Provincial Executive will present a position on what they believe should happen to the village of Moerdijk. Provincial Council will discuss this position on June 12 and June 19. Members of Parliament must make a decision on the latter date.
They can then make their own proposals to adjust their position. Ultimately, the Provincial Executive will take the outcome to the consultation with the government, water board and municipality on June 29.
‘Difficult package’
Clarity from the government would be ‘particularly welcome’, says D66 faction leader Matthijs van Miltenburg. “We and the residents of the village are currently in the dark.” He wants information from the government quickly. “The idea was always that everything would be agreed as a whole. What does it mean for the rest of the plans if they are no longer on the table? Where and when will they land? It is a difficult package.”
Postponement not excluded
His coalition partner Roel Gbraken (VVD) is also not happy with the state of affairs. “First of all, all the noise on the line is unacceptable for residents. We thought we were doing it carefully, but now the government suddenly seems to come up with something different and there is uncertainty again.”
Gbraken thinks that it may be difficult to assess all options equally if one has not been investigated as thoroughly as the rest. “We will have to see how we can make a good decision.”
He cannot rule out whether additional time will be needed for this. “We would prefer to see no further delay, certainly not for the residents. But we have to make a good decision, so we will keep the option open. I especially want clarity from the government quickly.”
Coalition member Hubert Koevoets of Lokaal Brabant fears that the province does not have much say in the future of the village. “I don’t have that illusion,” he says. “Local Brabant has never been in favor of closing Moerdijk in any case. Without clarity about all options, it remains difficult to make a decision.” He also thinks that the government has no money for compensation and is therefore now coming up with a new option where the village does not have to leave.
In any case, opposition leader Marco Havermans (BBB) does not like a delay. “Something has to be decided now. We can’t keep yo-yoing,” he says. “It is time for us to keep our promises to the residents, but that depends on the government.”
‘Empire wobbles’
PvdA faction leader Ward Deckers thinks that the government is ‘wobbling’ with the new variant in which the village would remain, because it does not want to come up with money for compensation. “Unlike the municipality, the province has said the same thing from the start: we want to figure it out properly first and want good compensation for the village.”
“You must first agree on this carefully before you express a preference as the municipality did in November.” Then councilor Danny Dingemans announced that it would be best if the village of Moerdijk disappeared in the long term. “See our right here.”
Deckers assumes that the government will provide information on time. “If I were secretary of state, I would at least take care of it.”
‘It makes sense that all variants are looked at’
Ronnie Buiks, leader of the opposition party CDA, says that responsible State Secretary Jo-Annes de Bat tells him that the information is indeed delivered on time.
Buiks does not share the criticism of the ‘third option’. “It is logical that all variants are examined. The government is not doing anything crazy here. It would be crazy if we did not investigate everything. If so many residents indicate that they want to stay, we must at least do justice to this in this way.”
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate does not want to provide concrete answers to questions from Omroep Brabant about whether it will be possible to inform the province and municipality in a timely manner about the third option. A spokesperson did say that “the decision-making process is still ongoing and we remain on course for the end of June. We want to ensure that decent decision-making can take place.”
The Provincial Executive thinks the information will arrive on time: “The government is doing everything it can to work towards a decision in June and is aware of the planning of the provincial decision-making process.”
View all articles about the possible disappearance of Moerdijk here.
