Comments on: Croatia: Changing Eminent Domain for a Golfing Gain http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/02/04/croatia-changing-eminent-domain-for-a-golfing-gain/ The world is talking. Are you listening? Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:21:58 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Miquel Hudin http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/02/04/croatia-changing-eminent-domain-for-a-golfing-gain/comment-page-1/#comment-1559455 Miquel Hudin Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:11:53 +0000 http://globalvoicesonline.org/?p=56355#comment-1559455 Figures that it would go through. With EU ascension stalled out due to Slovenia's attempt to grab more water, I guess they figure they might as well do business the same as usual until then. Sad to see that things are still about the same (or maybe even worse) as the Tuđman times. Thanks for the update Shane. Figures that it would go through. With EU ascension stalled out due to Slovenia’s attempt to grab more water, I guess they figure they might as well do business the same as usual until then. Sad to see that things are still about the same (or maybe even worse) as the Tuđman times.
Thanks for the update Shane.

]]> By: Shane Braddock http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/02/04/croatia-changing-eminent-domain-for-a-golfing-gain/comment-page-1/#comment-1559419 Shane Braddock Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:26:41 +0000 http://globalvoicesonline.org/?p=56355#comment-1559419 Miquel Not sure if you have seen this article in the local Istrian press 2 days ago - http://www.glasistre.hr/?,TS,4512,,22241,0,276138,, It says that the Minister for the Environment has basically approved the massive resort asked for by Jupiter Adria to be built alongside their golf course in Motovun. Interestingly a commission setup by the Ministry had twice asked the developers to make the resort smaller. The developers refused and the head of the commission, Velimir Šimičić, was mysteriously fired. The 8 commissioners also then changed their previous votes! Zlatan Juras, director of the Golf Park in Zagreb and a member of the commission, also refused to back the project saying that it was obvious that it was more about real-estate deals than sustainable tourism in Croatia. Juras would be the first person to vote for a golf course that would benefit Croatia. Miquel

Not sure if you have seen this article in the local Istrian press 2 days ago – http://www.glasistre.hr/?,TS,4512,,22241,0,276138,,

It says that the Minister for the Environment has basically approved the massive resort asked for by Jupiter Adria to be built alongside their golf course in Motovun.

Interestingly a commission setup by the Ministry had twice asked the developers to make the resort smaller. The developers refused and the head of the commission, Velimir Šimičić, was mysteriously fired. The 8 commissioners also then changed their previous votes!

Zlatan Juras, director of the Golf Park in Zagreb and a member of the commission, also refused to back the project saying that it was obvious that it was more about real-estate deals than sustainable tourism in Croatia. Juras would be the first person to vote for a golf course that would benefit Croatia.

]]> By: Miquel Hudin http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/02/04/croatia-changing-eminent-domain-for-a-golfing-gain/comment-page-1/#comment-1553406 Miquel Hudin Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:56:02 +0000 http://globalvoicesonline.org/?p=56355#comment-1553406 The issue with this particular golf course law is that the law allows people to be forcibly stripped of their land in the name of construction by a private enterprise. Eminent domain abuses like this are getting more and more flagrant as the world starts to get more short of land. We've had a similar case happen in the US where land was seized for the development of a shopping mall by a private developer. The US Supreme Court upheld this seizure and set a dangerous precedent. Croatia is seeing much the same thing, although it has been quite bold in its action. The other side to this is that the law allows for large-scale development of luxury buildings (ie hotels and resorts) in the area where the golf course is to be constructed. The job creation element is a minor one as this type of construction will decimate a very rural area. If you're not familiar with the area around Motovun, it is very calm, pastoral area as you can see in this <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=motovun,+croatia&sll=37.788205,-122.414918&sspn=0.009293,0.015106&g=895+Sutter+St,+San+Francisco,+CA+94109&ie=UTF8&ll=45.337728,13.827925&spn=0.033062,0.060425&t=h&z=14" rel="nofollow">Google Map</a> view. The introduction of a hotel and resort would have a massive environmental impact on native species, traffic, pollution, water use, as well as economically adverse side effects as well due to this being a very small region that has existed for centuries, happily farming and making wine. The only reprieve in all of this is that with the depressed economy, this construction project will likely never come about and this window of time will be useful in opponents to fight the law as well as get it stricken from the books as it is absolutely not in agreement with the EU Acquis that Croatia is trying extremely hard to meet with by the end of 2009. The issue with this particular golf course law is that the law allows people to be forcibly stripped of their land in the name of construction by a private enterprise. Eminent domain abuses like this are getting more and more flagrant as the world starts to get more short of land. We’ve had a similar case happen in the US where land was seized for the development of a shopping mall by a private developer. The US Supreme Court upheld this seizure and set a dangerous precedent. Croatia is seeing much the same thing, although it has been quite bold in its action.

The other side to this is that the law allows for large-scale development of luxury buildings (ie hotels and resorts) in the area where the golf course is to be constructed. The job creation element is a minor one as this type of construction will decimate a very rural area. If you’re not familiar with the area around Motovun, it is very calm, pastoral area as you can see in this Google Map view. The introduction of a hotel and resort would have a massive environmental impact on native species, traffic, pollution, water use, as well as economically adverse side effects as well due to this being a very small region that has existed for centuries, happily farming and making wine.

The only reprieve in all of this is that with the depressed economy, this construction project will likely never come about and this window of time will be useful in opponents to fight the law as well as get it stricken from the books as it is absolutely not in agreement with the EU Acquis that Croatia is trying extremely hard to meet with by the end of 2009.

]]> By: Bertil Garpenholt http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/02/04/croatia-changing-eminent-domain-for-a-golfing-gain/comment-page-1/#comment-1552240 Bertil Garpenholt Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:30:12 +0000 http://globalvoicesonline.org/?p=56355#comment-1552240 The comment to the process of stopping building golf and Golf resorts in Croatia. I have read a document on Tourism in Croatia and must after reading this article say that saying no to a development that sets the environment and echology that is now the discussion in many countries regarding building of golf courses. Think about all jobs that can be given to a large number of unemplyed for a number of years. Also new possibilities to work and education not only in the service departments but as gardener (green keepers ) etc. So look upon this with open eyes. The infra structure will benefit the income for the region will raise and the possibilities to new jobs. I have been part of this development in Guatemala and would gladly be part of this in Cratia as well. Of corse in an echological and nature friendly way Bertil Garpenholt Goplf Course developer and friend of the nature. The comment to the process of stopping building golf and Golf resorts in Croatia. I have read a document on Tourism in Croatia and must after reading this article say that saying no to a development that sets the environment and echology that is now the discussion in many countries regarding building of golf courses.
Think about all jobs that can be given to a large number of unemplyed for a number of years. Also new possibilities to work and education not only in the service departments but as gardener (green keepers ) etc. So look upon this with open eyes. The infra structure will benefit the income for the region will raise and the possibilities to new jobs.
I have been part of this development in Guatemala and would gladly be part of this in Cratia as well. Of corse in an echological and nature friendly way
Bertil Garpenholt
Goplf Course developer and friend of the nature.

]]> By: Miquel Hudin http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/02/04/croatia-changing-eminent-domain-for-a-golfing-gain/comment-page-1/#comment-1551956 Miquel Hudin Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:57:05 +0000 http://globalvoicesonline.org/?p=56355#comment-1551956 For a bit of an update, there is a new Green party that has organized in Motovun in an attempt to try and oust the mayor who started all of this in the first place. <a href="http://blog.lifejacketadventures.com/croatia/2009/02/10/new-green-party-in-motovun/" rel="nofollow">Read more</a>. For a bit of an update, there is a new Green party that has organized in Motovun in an attempt to try and oust the mayor who started all of this in the first place. Read more.

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