forest Despite the tranquility and idyll, the small town of Pongau harbors a danger that, according to the local manager, must be observed: three torrents could burst their banks at any time.
There is still no construction in the entire catchment area,” says Mayor Josef Kocher (ÖVP). Although, as a native of Forstau, he appreciates the tranquility in the town of 561, which lies between Radstadt and Schladming, the 40-year-old knows about the “ticking time bomb” that needs to be observed. “The local torrents could burst their banks at any time,” says Kocher. This must now “be built as quickly as possible”, especially in view of the annually recurring floods in the entire district, says the local manager. In addition to the lurking danger of the creek, which Kocher wants to strive for, he sets himself the goal of soon 600 inhabitants to count in the place. “We were only recently able to acquire a new area in the town centre. We will be able to create new living space there from 2024,” says Kocher. With the 13,300 square meters of new land directly in front of the church, Kocher is hoping for growth in the population. Gregor Schwarz has been a forester for 14 years. “Even as a newcomer, I feel really comfortable in the place,” says the 41-year-old. “Everyone can switch off and enjoy with us,” says the newcomer. In addition to the sports club, Schwarz also appreciates the social life in Forstau. Whether it’s a traditional band or the volunteer fire brigade: there’s always something going on, says the native of Lower Austria. More than 70 years ago there was the strongest flood in the village. At the end of July 1949, the road to Pichl became completely impassable. In addition, the small town in the Pongauer mountains was struggling with mud in those days. A year before the flood of 1949, Forstau founded his first volunteer fire brigade. With initially 23 Floriani, the association founded in 1948 is the youngest volunteer fire brigade in the entire federal state. “And we also have a lot of young people here in our town. Even if they have families then, they like to stay here. It’s a small, fine place. Summer and winter,” adds Martina Buchsteiner, owner of the “village shop”.
source site-12