Teaser image source: Zurich Airport
The aircraft noise debate has become louder again in the canton of Zurich: On March 3rd, Zurich voters will decide whether two runways at Zurich Airport should be extended. In addition, the electorate can use public riverside paths on Lake Zurich.
Source: Zurich Airport
Zurich Airport wants to extend the two runways 28 and 32.
The airport proposal is considered the vote of the year in the canton – the waves in the run-up to the ballot were correspondingly high. Opponents even demanded that the voting newspaper not be delivered – their arguments had been changed and shortened by the government council.
The government council rejected this representation and the voting newspaper was sent out unchanged. In the controversial proposal, the bourgeois parties are the supporters and the left-green parties are the opponents.
More punctual or bigger?
With longer runways, the safety margin could be increased and operational processes at Zurich Airport could be optimized, say the proponents under the motto “safer, more reliable and more punctual”.
Opponents criticize that extending runways would increase capacity. More flight movements led to more noise and climate-damaging emissions. The “highly frequented and excellently connected airport” is large enough today.
Flughafen Zürich AG wants to extend runway 28 by 400 meters to the west and runway 32 by 280 meters to the north. In order to be able to submit a plan approval procedure, she also needs the consent of the cantonal representatives on the administrative board.
The government council supports the request. After an intensive debate, the cantonal council also voted in favor of extending the slopes – the decision was narrow with 87 to 83 votes.
Asking slobs to pay
On March 3rd, the people of Zurich will decide whether the organizers and participants of unauthorized demonstrations have to pay for the police operation and property damage caused.
The SVP’s “anti-chaotic initiative” demands that such costs be passed on in every case. A majority of the cantonal council is in favor of a weaker counter-proposal, which only provides for an invoice to “intentional polluters”.
The initiators argue that it is currently up to the municipalities to decide whether they ask “chaots” to pay or whether they burden taxpayers with the costs of the demonstration. This leads to legal inequality and cantonal regulation is needed. “It shouldn’t matter where the demonstration takes place when it comes to the obligation to bear the costs.”
Opponents of the initiative and counter-proposal speak of a bureaucratic monster that is disproportionate to the costs to be collected. The compulsory billing deters demo organizers; this violates the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
Quelle: Reustli – Own work wikimedia CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED
In addition to the expansion of the slopes, the electorate also uses public riverside paths on Lake Zurich.
Public riverside paths on Lake Zurich
The popular initiative “For public riverside paths with ecological improvement” is also being voted on. Among other things, this calls for a continuous riverside path along Lake Zurich.
Proponents argue that freely accessible waters and natural riverside paths have a unique appeal. Their importance is increasing in view of population growth and building density.
The construction of a lakeside path along Lake Zurich would only be possible with “a massive encroachment on private property,” say opponents. The costs of 350 to 650 million francs – a large part for land acquisition and compensation – are disproportionate.
Finally, those entitled to vote will decide on an undisputed change to the cantonal constitution in order to be able to set additional requirements for the eligibility of judges to the highest cantonal courts. (sda/pb)
2024-02-05 15:20:40
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