Cantonal Council OW Obwalden government has to go back over the books when it comes to cultural assets
The Obwalden cantonal parliament has spoken out against the protection of various cultural objects in the municipalities of Alpnach and Giswil. It has referred the matters back to the government.
28.06.2024, 14:20
SDA
The tenor of the preliminary consultation committee was that fewer objects should be placed under protection. Priority should be given to objects that have made an important contribution to Obwalden's history or are already subject to heritage protection.
The commission emphasized that properties in the center with development potential, such as the Gasthaus Sonne or the Hotel Krone, should be critically examined. Also, properties in the perimeter of important transport infrastructure of the SBB or the Zentralbahn should only be placed under protection in exceptional cases.
The plan was for 44 cultural objects in Alpnach to be protected in future. New among them are the Gasthaus Sonne, the Alpnach Dorf and Alpnachstad railroad stations and the Pilatusbahn director's house. The Giswil protection plan will now contain 43 objects. New additions include the Hotel Krone.
"Taking care of cultural assets"
During the entry debate, it was already clear that the FDP, Center/GLP, SVP and part of the SP were in favour of the committee's rejection motion. Only the CSP sided with the government.
Councillor Christian Schäli (CSP) said that it was actually a mere "formality". Amendments to individual objects were no longer possible. This also made "little sense", as these were assessed by experts. He emphasized that the Council's strict guidelines had been adhered to and that the affected owners and neighbors were on board.
Eva Morger (SP) said that cultural objects were coming under increasing pressure due to population growth and the shortage of land. Cultural assets must be cared for as long as they are still standing. Regula Gerig (CSP) said that the list of objects had already been greatly reduced by the experts. If anyone still wished to make changes, they should do so by submitting a motion.
Martin Sigg (FDP) questioned whether the protection of the objects was also in the interests of the population or only in the interests of the monument conservationist. Peter Abächerli (SVP) voted that his party was not against the protection of historical monuments, but that quality was more important than quantity. Thomas Schrackmann (center/GLP) warned against obstructing the way for future building projects.
Parliament rejected the supplement for the municipality of Alpnach by 33 votes to 16 with one abstention and the supplement for the municipality of Giswil by 34 votes to 15.
