Flevoland approves service port outside the dike at Urk
A majority of Flevoland's provincial council has approved the province's investment in a service port outside the dike at Urk. Coalition party VVD was among those voting against.
A majority of Flevoland's provincial council (Provinciale Staten) has approved the provincial executive's proposal to build a (buitendijkse) service port outside the dike at Urk.
PRO, the Party for the Animals and coalition party VVD were among those opposed. They think the financial risks are too big and say the investment will take far too long to earn back.
VVD group leader Francho Achtien said his party has always backed developing the harbour, but that the proposal saddles the province with costs that are too high. "Paying back the loans takes a lifetime," he said.
Kjell van de Wijlandt of the Party for the Animals said the money would be better spent on the province's bus transport problem. "With this money we can pay for that," he said.
BBB (the Farmer-Citizen Movement) group leader Andrea van Veen pointed to the boldness of the project: "The harbour will contribute to the province's growth." Ria Visser-Kapitein of the Christian Union (ChristenUnie) said the maritime sector is booming. "We must offer room for that. We badly need the jobs and the entrepreneurship."
What happens next
- The province will start a European tender to find a contractor. Deputy Sjaak Simonse says this will take about nine months.
- The Staten decided that the provincial executive will update them on the harbour's progress every six months.
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Provinciale Staten
The provincial council is the elected provincial parliament of each of the twelve Dutch provinces. Its members are chosen in direct elections held every four years, and it makes provincial rules, adopts the provincial budget, and decides on major provincial plans and projects. It also oversees the Gedeputeerde Staten, the provincial executive that prepares and carries out most of the province's policy.
BBB (BoerBurgerBeweging)
The Farmer-Citizen Movement is a Dutch political party focused on agriculture, rural areas and local government. It holds seats in the Dutch House of Representatives and in the provincial councils (Provinciale Staten), where its members vote on provincial policy such as spatial planning, infrastructure and the economy.
ChristenUnie
The ChristenUnie is a Dutch political party that bases its policy positions on a Christian perspective. It holds seats in the Dutch House of Representatives and in provincial and municipal councils, where it takes part in debates and votes on national, provincial and local matters.