Full steam ahead for piped gas in Jávea
April 29th
Xàbia Town Hall has given a permit to the piped natural gas company Endesa to exploit the subsoil. This is the first step towards piped gas installation in the Old Town. Once this is completed the project will be extended to the Port and the Arenal. The company now has to submit a draft plan of works, and the council will insist that works do not take place during the high summer and easter seasons, following the mess made by Endesa in the installtion of the gas main to Benitatxell along the Cami Vell de Teulada. From XAD:Endesa llevera...
Farmers ask for measures against effects of current drought
April 27th
The Coordinator of Organizations of Farmers and Herders in the Valencia Region, COAG-CV, yesterday called on the Government to implement emergency measures to mitigate the negative effects of drought: Income tax reduction, granting soft loans to the affected farmers, improving the conditions for agricultural insurance and one-year extension of non-repayment of loans etc. As reported by the coordinator, the lack of rain is seriously damaging most crops and development of the trees themselves seriously endangering the survival of many farms. This has forced them to increase the frequency of watering, increasing production costs and lowering income. From Las Provincias: Los agricultores...
Public phase of next General Town Plan (PGOU) soon
April 27th
The Xàbia Town council has unanimously agreed to start the 'public participation plan' for the next General Town Plan (PGOU) of Xàbia. This is the mechanism of participation through which people are involved in drawing up basic outlines which will determine future planning at the socio-environmental level. There will be briefings in the Casa de Cultura, the port and the Arenal, to explain the process and clear doubts and misgivings. Three months will be allowed for public responses (the mandatory period is 45 days) and a number of questionnaires on different aspects related to urban development and planning will be distributed . They will contain questions about the town model, urban space, environment and sustainability, public transport, accessibility, equipment, security, types of housing etc. Dates yet to be set, but sometime over the next three months. From Las Provincias: Xàbia iniciá...
Marina Alta municipalities ask for management of la Xàra Transfer plant
April 27th
The Valencia Government owned environmental management company Vaersa has withdrawn from the Marina Alta Recycling company, raising fears that it may make off with a big chunk of the €1.5 million profits accumulated over its years of activity. In response, the Marina Alta mayors, as shareholders, have asked for the free transfer of the la Xara rubbish transfer plant to them, with Vaersa still providing its services free of charge. If this is not possible, then they'd like to buy the Vaersa shares in the recycling company at a nominal value, coupled with transfer of the la Xara plant and its use for 30 years. From LasProvincias : Los alcaldes....
The mayors of the Marina Alta
Spain’s recovery - Better but not best
April 22nd
..Spain has some of Europe’s highest income-tax rates, but puny overall tax revenue. A report commissioned by Cristobal Montoro, the tax minister, proposes a shift from income tax and social-security contributions to consumer taxes while closing business-tax loopholes…As jobs return, a virtuous cycle of improved confidence, consumer spending and faster growth could begin. Analysts are raising their projections, with some seeing GDP growing by 1.3% this year. Even so, unemployment, now standing at almost 26%, will take a decade to fall substantially. And as it is, the budget deficit barely fell last year, as public spending grew. The public debt has hit 94% of GDP . For full story see: The Economist
Five oil wells possible in the Gulf of Valencia
April 19th
A study commissioned by the Spanish Association of Research Companies, Exploration, Production of Hydrocarbons and Underground Storage (Aciep) notes that it is expected to find deposits for five oil wells in the Gulf of Valencia containing about 70 million barrels of oil. The most promising area of Spain is actually the Canary Islands, where a volume of 1.200 million barrels is expected. Work in the Gulf of Valencia is in an early stage and could take a couple of decades to accomplish. The exploratory company, Cairn Energy, will start with echo soundings of the seabed This phase will last several years and finally include the implementation of exploratory wells. From Las Provincias: Expertos...
Marina Alta mayors sign joint document rejecting oil exploration
April 22nd
On April 16th, the mayors of the municipalities of the Marina Alta signed a document rejection the exploration for oil in the Gulf odf Valencia. (Alcanalí, Beniarbeig, Benidoleig, Benissa, Calpe, Gata, Jesus Pobre, Llíber, Ondara, Orba, Parcent, Pedreguer, Pego, Benitachell, Dénia, Senija, Teulada-Moraira, El Verger, La Xara, Sanet i Negrals Els, Jalon, Javea and Denia.) They considered the project to be a "clear threat" to the economy of the Marina Alta and a a risk to vital economic sectors such as tourism, fisheries and food. That the surveys had unforeseeable consequences. The letter will be sent to the regional and national Governemnt and relevant ministries. A special committee on this issue has been formed. From Las Provincias: La Comarca...
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Tourism department expands its range of guided tours
April 17th
Xàbia's tourism department has expanded its range of guided tours to include a "Xàbia gastronomía" route - and several routes based on the richness of local vegetation and its use by different cultures- There will be five routes: Cap Prim and its microreserve of flora; Xàbia Romana which discovers the marks left by the Romans; Cala Tangó and the marine reserve; Santa Llúcia and the conquest chapels; and the windmills of the natural park of Montgó. These routes will also offer to chance to taste local products. For full details see: Javeamigos
Xàbia Public Works programme to be financed by 4.2 million surplus
April 16th
Mayor Jose Chulvi , and the Councillor for Finance , Oscar Anton, have finalized the new public works programme to be financed from the surplus generated from the 2013 accounts. Of the 4.2 million euros saved, €3 million together with €683,000 generated by the Municipal Land Heritage and another €334,000 from the 2014 budget will provide the finance for the projects and will be discussed with the town’s other political groups this week, then submitted for final approval at April’s Plenary council meeting. The range of the proposed projects falls into the category of ‘financially sustainable ‘in accordance with requirements established by Central Government. The largest portion of the budget (1.2 million euros) is intended for asphalting works, and will focus on streets in a deteriorated condition and omitted from the last asphalting campaign. Other investments will provide for the urban development and landscaping of the central part of Avenida Augusta (695,000 euros) , the expropriation of a farm in ruins in Primer Montañar known as Villa Sarita (500,000 euros ) together with its demolition and subsequent development of calle Vicenza to open it up towards the sea ( 293,000 euros). For further details see: Public works programme 2014
New proposals for Xàbia Port development
April 7th
The Valencian Government has put forward new proposals for the development of the Port. In contrast to previous plans, this involves re-organisation of the existing port area and not port expansion. The project is budgeted at €8 million with a minimum annual fee for Valencia of €50,000. There will be concessions for the ramp, crane, public moorings and current mooring at the Levante jetty. The Town Hall has 30 days to file its feedback and would be calling a public meeting to explain details and see what might have been overlooked. From XAD: El Consell.... For details see: Port Proposal 2014 For the history of proposals concerning the port see: port
Spain in world’s top ten for environmental conflicts
April 6th
Spain has the eighth highest number of environmental troublespots in the world, according to the Environmental Justice Atlas (EJA). The new map pinpoints an incredible 35 ‘conflicts’ around the country that are of major concern. The majority of these are linked to industrial and building projects, as well as waste management sites. From The Olive Press. For full list and report see: EJOLT (Note: the list does not include the controversy over prospecting for oil in the Gulf of Valencia)
Xàbia will make half a million Euros from Beach Bars and sun bed rentals
April 4th
Results of the tendering exercise for the provision of beach services in the summer has resulted in a cool half million Euros for the Xàbia Town Hall coffers, especially since the minimum bid prices totalled €328,000. The licences for the beach bars were hotly contested with each receiving 10-14 bids. For details see: Beach services 2014 From XAD: Xàbia ingresara...
Foreign Frackers Now Find Comfort in Water-Hungry Spain
April 4th
A few years ago, fracking in Spain seemed as likely as bullfighting in Britain. These days, energy companies from Texas, Canada and Ireland are going after exploration and drilling permits in hopes of capitalizing on geology that indicates Spain has a sizable chunk of the 883 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in shale estimated to sit under Europe. What’s changed? A sluggish economy for one — the energy industry estimates fracking could eventually create tens of thousands of jobs in a nation with an unemployment rate of 26 percent. Unlocking gas deposits might ease what consumers pay for the heating fuel. It’s about triple the U.S. price. As important, the national government, with the economy in mind, took a pro-fracking stance even as regional and local authorities harden what’s long been widespread European environmental opposition to oil and gas development of any kind. For full story see: Bloomberg Business week
Mayor Chulvi addresses expat residents in English
and answers questions in a wide ranging Q&A
April 2nd
Mayor José Chulvi met with residents of Jávea to talk about his work as part of the provincial government in Alicante as well as face a question-and-answer session over several subjects from the controversial IBI issue to the benefits of having parking meters in the town. Around 100 people gathered in the conference room at the Hotel Parador and listened to a short presentation by the mayor, in English, during which he explained what the provincial government does and the benefits of his participation for Jávea and the rest of the Marina Alta. After a passionate defence of the Mediterranean against oil exploration, he concluded the session by answering questions from the floor whilst those present were also invited to leave their questions to be answered at a later date. And his work didn't stop once the Powerpoint had switched off as he took time to circulate and chat with residents during the coffee served after the presentation. For full account of the meeting and various points raised see: Javeamigos
