Uproar in the city forest

Radio mast would spoil view of landmark

The view of the Hussar Temple could be spoiled by a planned radio mast in Mödling's city forest.(Bild: C.Stadler/Bwag, Peter Tomschi, Krone KREATIV)

A planned cell phone transmitter is causing an uproar in Mödling town hall. The view of the famous Hussar Temple is in danger. The town says: "That's out of the question!" But does the law give mobile phone operators more rights?

Around Mödling, numerous buildings and artificial ruins, which the Prince of Lichtenstein once had built in his landscape park, characterize the view over the city forest. And the view of one of these popular excursion destinations is now to be obstructed by a radio mast. Because right at the foot of the small Anninger, on whose summit the famous Hussar Temple is enthroned, a mobile phone operator wants to build a transmitter.

This transmitter mast will disfigure our municipal forest.

Michael Danzinger, ÖVP-Stadtparteiobmann von Mödling

Protest from the town hall
The 42-metre-high mast would not only disrupt the landscape ensemble, but would also be located in a Natura 2000 area. "That is absolutely unacceptable for us, it is out of the question," emphasize ÖVP city party chairman Michael Danzinger and Deputy Mayor Silva Drechsler (SPÖ).

United against the transmitter mast in the city forest: representatives of the council coalition led by Danzinger and Dechsler.(Bild: Stadtgemeinde Mödling)

Law on the side of the operators 
The town hall coalition is united against the project, but apparently has no legal means of opposing it. "The Telecommunications Act grants mobile phone operators far-reaching siting rights," says Danzinger.

Public property must not be allowed to fall into the hands of corporations so easily.

Silvia Drechsler, SPÖ-Vizebürgermeisterin von Mödling

City wants to defend itself
The municipality's legal department is now looking for ways to defend itself against the transmitter mast in the middle of the municipal forest. "We haven't even been told what construction work is to be carried out for the radio mast in the countryside," say the outraged local politicians.