WRITTEN QUESTION E-2513/98

by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Expansion of the "Gardaland" amusement park (Castelnuovo del Garda, Italy)

Lake Garda is one of the most attractive lakes of Europe in terms of natural beauty and, especially, botanical interest, thanks to the special Mediterranean microclimate prevailing at its Alpine location. It is also one of the most popular spring and summer holiday destinations in central Europe. This leads to considerable pressure on its facilities for a good half of the year, as accentuated over recent decades by rising property development.

In March 1998, the EIB granted a loan of ECU 31 million (LIT 60 billion) to the "Gardaland" company for the expansion of the "Gardaland" amusement park at Castelnuovo del Garda (Verona province). This park attracted 2.7 million vistors in 1997 alone. Directive 85/337/EEC(1) on VAT includes property development projects among those on which VAT may be levied by decision of the Member State concerned (Annex II), while the following VAT directive (Directive 97/11/EEC)(2) makes specific reference to theme parks in this connection.

Has the Commission taken action to ensure that a proper environmental impact assessment is carried out for the expansion of the "Gardaland" park? How will account be taken of the consequences for the lake environment of increased numbers of people, and of the pressure for further lakeside development which will result from the expansion of "Gardaland"? Will environment-friendly tourist and cultural activities be promoted within the park?

Can the Commission ensure that the local authorities and associations for the protection of the environment and the countryside will be involved in the assessment of the project?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(27 October 1998)

The project for the enlargement and modernisation of the existing theme park of Castelnuovo del Garda (known as "Gardaland"), mentioned by the Honourable Member, does not require an environmental impact assessment in accordance with Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment. In addition, although the above mentioned project falls under Annex II of the Directive 97/11/EC(3) (the directive amending Directive 85/337/EEC), it cannot legally require an environmental impact assessment on the basis of such a directive, because the deadline for the directive to be transposed in Member States (14 March 1999) is not yet expired, and consequently Member States are not yet obliged to apply it.

However, in the light of the fact that such projects are included in the list of the directive mentioned, environmental aspects have been assessed by the European investment bank during the appraisal of the project, in the framework of the financing procedure.

The expansion of the Gardaland theme park should be put in its environmental, touristic, cultural and social contexts. Gardaland is in the area of Lake Garda but is not a direct lake front development. It is located in an area of flat agricultural land, there will be no impact of any botanical significance, and any topographical impact will be minimal. The main focus of the Gardaland theme park is to diversify the range of natural, cultural, educational and leisure activities offered to tourists visiting the region. Thus the Gardaland activities play a passive role in attracting tourists and supporting economic activities in the service sector. The aim of the park is to deepen the tourist service offering, increasing the economic added value without having to increase tourist numbers, during the summer season.

Gardaland is not an amusement park but a theme park, providing leisure, recreational, educational and research related themes. Theme parks are classed as culture, and are cultural events, although the definition of culture is open to debate. The management of the Gardaland theme park is very environmentally sensitive. Waste and sewage is managed to a high standard on-site and the landscaping creates a real natural green park atmosphere out of the plain at the southern end of the lake.

The local authorities zoned and approved the expansion of Gardaland, thus interested parties had the usual possibilities of involvement.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.

(3) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.