Moerdijk City Council votes to dissolve town over residents’ objections
Despite local residents’ vehement objections, the Moerdijk city council has approved the plan to dissolve the village of the same name in order to make way for industrial expansion. “A difficult and painful decision,” Mayor Aart-Jan Moerkerke said, Omroep Brabant reports.
The municipality spent years exploring alternatives, but earlier this month concluded that the village must disappear to make way for the Powerport project in ten years. This project will create 450 hectares for energy infrastructure and growth. The Moerdijk area will become a key hub in the energy transition, with a new power station where energy generated by offshore wind turbines will be connected to the onshore grid.
The plan includes finding a solution for the 1,100 residents of Moerdijk village, including compensation for their homes and maintaining the quality of their lives after they leave. The plan received 19 votes in favor and 3 against on Wednesday evening.
Before the vote, locals spoke emotionally about the impending demise of their village. “It’s not just a village being wiped out, but an entire community,” a 23-year-old resident said.
A 16-year-old described Moerdijk as “not just a place, it’s my home.” She spoke on behalf of the youth in the village and her close-knit football team, ANP reported. “We’re losing more than just a field, a place where you can be yourself.” She also asked what would happen to important places like the cemetery where her family is buried.
A man speaking on behalf of a dairy farmer wanted to know how the city government envisions the practical implementation of relocating a livestock farm. “How do you ensure the continuity of the business?”
Several speakers pointed out the difficulty of finding somewhere else to live due to the housing crisis. Their current uncertain financial situation is also making it hard to find financing.
The demise of Moerdijk is not yet a done deal. The national government, the province of Noord-Brabant, and the municipality will make a joint decision on December 1.
