Why the mayor of Hallbergmoos "sometimes annoys the bureaucracy"

Created: 01/10/2022, 07:00 AM

In difficult times, Josef Niedermair took a seat on the mayor's chair. But he does not allow himself to be deprived of his optimism. © Austria

Hallbergmoos town hall chief Josef Niedermair looks back on 2021 - and in an interview with the daily newspaper, he also looks ahead.

Mr. Niedermair, you've been head of the town hall for nine months. You took office in difficult times - after the death of your predecessor and in the middle of the Corona crisis. How do you personally remember the last few months?

Of course it was a big change professionally and personally - combined with a learning curve.

Now I've found the right mode and the ambition to achieve as much as possible during my tenure.

My experience from 36 years of political work is worth its weight in gold.

By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our regular Freising newsletter.

When you took office on April 26, 2021, you found a number of construction sites - and quickly tackled the "hot iron": the municipal housing, the fire stations, the bathing pond and the school building extension.

Are you satisfied with what you have achieved so far?

In the commune everything runs a little slower than in private.

But it works.

The bureaucracy annoys me sometimes.

But I am already very satisfied and I have to compliment the local council for what we have achieved.

In the autumn exam, we discussed 16 important projects in advance.

Everything is on the way or has already been implemented.

You definitely have "only" five years in office.

Which projects would you like to see completed this year, which ones by 2026?

At the top are the municipal housing in Predazzoallee, the bathing pond and the fire station in Goldach. The planning is in progress. The primary school extension will be finished in autumn. In addition, the residential building area in Birkenecker Straße-Süd and the industrial area North-East are planned for 2022. Hallbergmoos-Mitte, i.e. the extension of Predazzoallee in the direction of Theresienstraße, is extremely important to me personally. As far as implementation is concerned, we're talking more about 2023 or 2024. Other projects will still take time - also because we don't have the human resources in the town hall. Like many municipalities, we have the problem that we cannot fill vacancies.

Keyword: municipal housing.

Much could be heard from the residential building on Predazzoallee, where the municipality will create affordable housing.

It has become a little quiet about multi-generational living in Tassiloweg.

We are actually as far as we are with any other project.

The government's commitment to grant is still valid until mid-2022. We should skim off these nine million if possible.

Here, however, there is again the "but" in the room that we do not have the capacity in the town hall.

That is the only depressing situation and makes a quick realization difficult.

What about the second elementary school in Goldach?

Do you even flirt with a secondary school?

Wouldn't it be great there, wouldn't it?

We are still at the beginning with the needs assessment.

But I can say this much: The construction of a second elementary school will definitely not be part of my term of office.

A secondary school would be nice.

But that is what the district decides.

The renovation of the main street in Goldach is a long time coming.

What is it

The bridge renovation will start at the end of March / beginning of April 2022.

Not all grants have yet been approved for the expansion.

It will probably not continue to be built until 2023.

Can the community finance all of this in the long term?

Is there a corona dent?

Economically, 2021 wasn't that bad at all.

We reckon with 26 million euros in trade tax, we had budgeted 17 million euros.

For the time being, I don't expect any major slumps - if we do our homework.

Hallbergmoos is currently in the process of offering itself as a location for biotech.

Why?

The main thing is that there is no economic standstill.

The designation of new industrial parks and the settlement of companies have priority.

Biotech is a new pillar that suits us well and is booming.

A few companies have already settled here that are developing new drugs, for example.

Let's talk about "the wave": The groundbreaking ceremony for Surftown MUC was actually announced for last fall.

The plans for Surftown MUC and the Hybrid One office complex still had to be coordinated.

Therefore the groundbreaking has been delayed a little.

Those responsible are sticking to the deadline for completion in mid-2023.

As soon as the weather permits, the groundbreaking should be.

So probably in spring 2022.

What is the relationship like with the “neighbor” airport?

We maintain good cooperation - in all matters.

We have a good culture of discussion; FMG is a partner in club sponsoring.

We are currently negotiating a construction project: FMG wants to build around 300 apartments on Ludwigstrasse.

An FMG-financed bus that drives through Hallbergmoos to the airport is also being discussed in the accompanying mobility concept.

That would benefit our citizens.

How do you feel about the event arena?

I am in favor.

It brings considerable added value for the neighboring communities.

It will liven up the area, hotels and restaurants.

It would be just as profitable as Surftown MUC - provided that decent development is built.

We have been calling for the four-lane, S-Bahn-related expansion of the B 301 for a long time.

If you had one wish for 2022: which one would it be?

There are actually three wishes: Professionally, my greatest wish would be to find new employees for the town hall.

And privately, to have enough time for the family.

And that the pandemic is finally over.

Interview conducted by Eva Oestereich