Austrian border fence could have 800m gap due to lack of landowner permission

The 3.7 kilometer-long fence Austria is presently constructing on its border with Slovenia to control the refugee influx could have a gap of 800 meters if the owners of land along which the fence is to be constructed do not give the government permission to do so.

Local media reported Thursday that a former councillor, Helmut Strobl, had refused the government permission to construct the fence on his land in the state of Styria which would have left an eight meter gap, though it now appears he may be just one of a number of land owners who intend to refuse giving permission.

Strobl said he held the fence for "nonsensical" and that his decision to deny permission for the fence was a matter of principle.

He noted a number of objections, including that he considered border control possible without fences, as well as that a number of roadways that are on the shared border and used by persons on both sides, noting a fence in such a situation is not feasible. He predicted the eventual fence will "only be half as long" as the presently planned one.

A police spokesperson from the city of Graz on Friday acknowledged that an 800-meter gap in the fence is "theoretically possible," but that this eventuality had already be planned for and if necessary could be covered by other means including through use of more personnel.

Austria Press Agency also quoted the Interior Ministry as saying it would stick to its plans and implement alternative arrangements in the event of a fence gap, that would not lead to a change in security, but only in cost.

A spokesperson acknowledged the right of individual landowners to deny permission for the fence to be constructed on their property, and that the federal government would regardless push forward with its overall concept of establishing controlled access into Austria and to curb large influxes of migrants. Endit