On July 7th, experts from viadonau, the DANUBEPARKS Association, the LIFE WILDisland project, National Park Donau-Auen, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) and the engineering company RIOCOM sat together to discuss the requirements and expectations for the planning of the restoration actions at the Paradeisinsel island complex in Austria.
After the meeting in Schloss Orth, the experts visited the project site to discuss the revitalization aims, current settings and practical technical possibilities on field.
The constuction works are a part of the large-scale Danube4all project, which includes the restoration of one of the most spectacular island complexes in the Donau-Auen National Park, Austria as one of its pilot measures in the Upper Danube. The DANUBEPARKS Association is one of the key partners, in charge of two pilot project sites - one in Austria and one in Hungary. The intention in Austria is to remove about 2 km of embankment and adapt the groynes and navigation infrastructure upstream the island. The restoration measures are inspired by and in full synergy with the WILDisland concept and aim to re-dynamize that riparian section and free the river flow. The experts discussed the expected outcomes and ways to optimize the anticipated conservation impact, the timeline of the planning process, as well as all the aspects, which also need to be taken into consideration – synergies, similar projects and co-creation.
The action will take place within the Donau-Auen National Park and once the planning is completed, construction will be done by viadonau, the Austrian waterway operator.
RIOCOM is the company, which is also working on the nearby Schwalbeninsel complex within the WILDisland project, which guarantees they will use their experience to develop the two project sites in full synergy and in line with the conservation expectations.
Once the planning is complete at the end of the year, the documents will be submitted to the relevant authorities for approval, so that the construction works can start earliest at the end of 2024.
For more information:
Matej Marusic - DANUBEPARKS:m.marusic@danubeparks.org
