Today at 3:28 PM • Updated today at 3:38 PM
At the request of the cabinet, the Provincial Executive has not yet expressed a preference about the future of the village of Moerdijk. The province announced this on Tuesday. According to the deputies, the government has indicated that it needs more time to make a decision. The council wants to wait until it takes a position itself.
“The government has indicated that it needs more time to make a different assessment of the future task in the area,” the council writes. Earlier, responsible State Secretary Jo-Annes de Bat reported that a third option was being worked on for the future of the village.
‘Committing to a joint position’
In addition to building to the east of the current industrial estate, where the village is now located, or to the south-east of the industrial estate, which would probably allow the village to remain, the government is working on a third option that requires only limited space and would allow the village to remain.
In a letter to the Provincial Council the council writes that it is waiting at the request of the government. “In the discussions that will follow in the coming weeks between the government, province and municipality, we will aim for a joint position regarding the continuation of this process.”
‘National interest’
The council does say that it will continue to focus on area development, which includes room for energy infrastructure, circular economy, nature, quality of life and agriculture. The Provincial Executive also underlines the ‘national importance’ of the energy projects in the region.
The council hereby refers to the Port of Moerdijk high-voltage station (POM) and the Connections for Landing Wind at Sea (VAWOZ). “These projects are important for the energy transition and for reducing grid congestion in North Brabant.”
Role of province
In June, 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.
The Provincial Executive would now have a position on what they believe should happen to the village of Moerdijk. But they are now leaving that open, pending what the government will do next. The Provincial Council will debate the position of the province 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.
Here you can read all the stories about the possible disappearance of the village of Moerdijk.
Meanwhile in Moerdijk
How do you continue to live as normally as possible when you have been told that the village where you have lived for years, or perhaps even where you were born, must disappear. In the monthly series Meanwhile in Moerdijkcan be seen at Brabant+we follow some residents and show their daily lives over the past month.