The Municipality of Kalamaria points out in its decision that the upgrading and modernization of the Aretsou marina is necessary in order to stop the ongoing deterioration of the unique tourist infrastructure in the Thessaloniki Urban Complex.
However, it notes that the design of the marina must be part of a unified concept of highlighting and regenerating a green, undeveloped and accessible to all coastal front of the city. It also underlines that the marina must be upgraded as a marina area for mooring boats with all the functional, supporting and auxiliary facilities of a modern tourist infrastructure and not be transformed into an overdeveloped area with residences or hotels serving a real estate concept. Furthermore, it underlines that the protection of the marine environment, pine forests, greenery and atmosphere must be ensured at every stage of the construction of the projects and the operation of the marina. According to the Municipality, the emblematic building of Remezzo, the Psarras cafe, Propontida and the slopes on Plastiras Street must be excluded from the marina development plans and be returned to the Municipality and the citizens of Kalamaria.
It is noted that recently the competent ministries proceeded to issue a joint ministerial decision for the zoning and approval of the environmental conditions of the marina.
According to the Mayor of Kalamaria, Ms. Ch. Arapoglou, “the question of whether Thessaloniki needs a marina or a new hotel remains unanswered. Because the argument to date of the limited demand for boat moorings has already been refuted with the siting of a new marina in Pylaia, one kilometer from the Aretsou Marina, the studies for which are being financed by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the municipality of Pylaia-Hortiatis. The issuance of the Joint Ministerial Decision, even before the issuance of the decision of the Council of State on the municipality’s appeal, shows unacceptable contempt for justice and especially for the opinion of the local government and the local community. The municipality of Kalamaria will not let the destructive real estate business in the marina develop. It will take every initiative so that Kalamaria acquires a modern marina. boat mooring with all its supporting functions, which will enhance economic and tourist development. It will take every initiative to stop the depreciation and degradation of the current marina, in order to sell it at a bargain price”.
In addition, the issue of the Aretsou marina and the developments with the HRADF plan returned to Parliament, with two parliamentary interventions by PASOK-Movement for Change MPs, who are requesting answers from the government regarding the issuance of the Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD) which paves the way for the concession and construction of a hotel in the marina.
These parliamentary interventions come to reinforce the struggle of the Municipality, elected officials, organizations and the local community who on Monday night gave a massive “presence” in Remezzo where the Kalamaria Municipal Council met and decided to take all necessary action in order to preserve the public nature of the coastal front and prevent the implementation of the HRADF plan.
Kilkis MP Petros Pappas, in his Question to the Ministers of Environment and Energy, Tourism and National Economy and Finance, points out that the government bypassed both the decisions of the Kalamaria Municipal Council and the Region of Central Macedonia, as well as the Municipality’s pending appeal to the Council of State against the Presidential Decree of 2023 that establishes the Special Spatial Development Plan, and asks the Ministers to explain why the Joint Ministerial Decree was issued, whether they intend to revoke it or review it by incorporating the positions of the Municipality, and how they will ensure that the development of the Marina will not lead to cementation and exclusion of citizens from the common space.
Accordingly, the Member of Parliament for Thessaloniki A Rania Thraskia, in her timely Question to the Minister of Environment and Energy, states that the government is violating institutional procedures and ignoring the will of the local community, while “it is proceeding with a zoning that alters the character of the area and transforms the Aretsou Marina into an over-structured real estate project, depriving citizens of free access to public space”.
The Municipal Authority of Kalamaria expresses its satisfaction with the new parliamentary interventions that will significantly strengthen the fight for the preservation of the public character of the Aretsou Marina and the protection of the coastal front and awaits with interest the responses of the competent Ministers in Parliament.
