As we read in the statement by the mayor of Nowogrodziec, Joanna Świder:

Today, disturbing information began circulating in the public sphere which, although dressed up as concern, is misleading residents. We cannot remain silent when facts give way to emotions, and matters that should be the subject of substantive discussion become a weapon in political games.

First and foremost, it must be stated clearly: the change to the local spatial development plan in Ołdrzychów does not mean either the construction of a landfill or consent to the storage of hazardous waste (emphasis – significant). We are talking about permitting the reclamation of the site with soil and rock masses—that is, natural materials necessary to develop the exhausted excavation and restore it to a safe shape.

There is no question here of bringing in hazardous waste, contamination or a threat to residents’ health. Such claims are unfounded, and repeating them—misleads people and unnecessarily causes fear. Whether any activity may be carried out will still be assessed in detail as part of the environmental procedure. The municipality cannot and has no right to include in the local plan details that are determined only at subsequent administrative stages.

The head of the Nowogrodziec municipal office explains:

The entire procedure did not begin yesterday. This process was initiated in 2023, under the previous authorities, with the adoption of the study of conditions and directions for the spatial development of the City and Municipality of Nowogrodziec. Today, we are simply continuing a procedure that began several years ago.

If someone genuinely cares about an honest debate, they should tell residents the whole truth:

  • Information about the draft plan is publicly available.
  • The plan is available for public inspection from May 30 to June 20, 2025.
  • A public discussion will be held on June 16—a chance to ask questions, dispel doubts and view the matter in the light of the documents, rather than rumors.

She adds: “Comments on the local plan may be submitted until July 4, 2025.

She also concludes:

We do not agree to frightening people with imaginary catastrophes. We want to discuss the future of our municipality calmly, substantively and responsibly. Everyone has the right to ask questions, but everyone also has a duty to seek answers where the facts lie, rather than in emotional headlines.

An important question worth asking today:

    Why is an issue that has been ongoing since 2019 suddenly causing such strong emotions—just a few days before the referendum?