Sint-Niklaas (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Sint-Niklaas’ new multi-year plan faces criticism from far-left PVDA and far-right Vlaams Belang. Opposition targets the coalition’s finances, safety measures, and planned investments in housing and climate.
As VRT News reported, the new multi-year plan from the Sint-Niklaas city council has faced strong criticism from opposition parties. Members of the Flemish Interest (Vlaams Belang) say the plan risks the city’s finances.
Council member Filip Brusselmans argues that the city is once again choosing higher debt and more spending without real savings. He warns that even a small drop in revenue from fines in 2031 could affect the city’s ability to repay loans. Brusselmans also believes the plan misses opportunities to improve public safety.
What are the main criticisms of Sint-Niklaas’ 2025 multi-year plan?
Brusselmans criticised the proposed reinforcement of the police zone, saying it would only meet the minimum “neighbourhood police officer” standards. He described the planned security point at the police station as a “lightweight police station” and called it largely symbolic.
“The city continues to give free rein to project developers and large landlords.”
Chris Wauman of PVDA
On the other side, the Labour Party (PVDA) expressed concern over the city’s housing policy. The party said the measures for social housing and urban development are insufficient.
“Despite affordable housing being the primary focus of the elections, the city council will only focus on increasing social housing,”
says council member Chris Wauman.
“Nothing is being done to address rising rents or to provide affordable homes for sale. The city continues to give free rein to project developers and large landlords.”
The Groen party criticised Sint-Niklaas city council’s new multi-year plan. The party said the plan lacks a real long-term vision and called it “announcement policy.” Groen added that many proposals are more about statements than real action. The party also said the city’s climate and nature efforts are too limited and underfunded.
“We read a lot about projects where only plans will be worked on during this legislative term,”
says council member Aster Back.
“For example, they’re proudly boasting about strengthening the police force with 43 additional staff, but the associated costs are only anticipated after the 2030 elections.”
Groen said the plan does not recognise residents who work on sustainability every day. They called it a “bitter pill to swallow” that budgets for climate and nature are being cut. The party said Sint-Niklaas needs more ambition and stronger funding to meet environmental challenges.
Sint-Niklaas has had multi-year plans in place for years to direct budget priorities and policy initiatives in the city. The newest plan, which is scheduled for presentation in late 2025, identifies important priorities for the next term in office. The categories covered include finances, public safety, housing and the environment. Groen, along with other opposition parties, described the previous plans in 2015 and 2020 as symbolic action plans instead of outcome-driven action plans, especially as they related to larger climate and nature-related plans.
