Oppositie tegen de “investeringsplannen”

Reasons for opposing the development plans

• The plans for a densely-built residential complex in the middle of such an area contravene every principle of sustainability (environmental, economic, social):
  • They aim to turn a pristine nature area of unique beauty, into a city environment only for the sake of short term economic revenue.
  • The planned constructions will cause irreparable damage to the area as a landscape, and as an ecosystem and consequently to its character too.
  • The envisioned project would overturn the current dynamics of sustainable economic growth that maintains the natural resources and landscape of the region.
  • They contravenes declared principles and criteria for environmental protection, as well as the regional development plan and spatial planning (by regional government of Ionian Islands).
• Corfu already has plenty of well-developed tourist businesses of all kinds. A building complex and a small hotel will not make any serious difference in its economy (and Corfu already has a high Gross Domestic Product).

• If the plans are implemented, Corfu will be deprived of one of its last remaining areas of unique natural beauty.
• Moreover, this sacrifice would be for the repayment of cash liabilities of consecutive corrupt and incompetent central administrations of Athens;
  Certainly budget deficits have not been caused by citizens of Corfu, as they contribute big time to the state’s earnings annually, since decades.
  
• The tourist product of Corfu needs qualitative deepening and diversification, not spatial expansion. At the same time the natural capital of Corfu is in urgent need of protection from the threats.
• The competitive advantage of Corfu is based on its natural beauty. When this is undermined, then the economy and its growth prospects are damaged. At the same time, there is already intense saturation of the tourist industry on the island, as well as competition between businesses. However, areas such as Erimitis contribute to both the preservation of the good image of Corfu as a green island and to diversifying its tourism product. With the preservation of the natural environment, Erimitis and the surrounding areas are already prosperous, create employment for local society and economic revenues for the state.
• The “development model” that the envisioned investment project falls into is totally unsuitable for the needs of Corfu and the region. It is in no way compatible with either the preservation of the natural environment or with the needs of Corfu’s society and economy.
• In purely economic terms, the sellout only provides the short-term benefits of real estate business.
• Erimitis must be protected and preserved for the current and the future generations of Corfiots.

Moreover, the procedures have been initiated and driven by the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund¹ (H.R.A.D.F.). This institution has been scathingly criticized for both its core principles, norms and values, as well as for its methods and practices on various occasions. It has been characterized by esteemed academics as unconstitutional and faces a number of lawsuits with accusations that include abuse of power and corruption.

1 Unlike what the name suggests, the funds only purpose is to arrange privatizations of state-owned property.

Social opposition

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