IWW E70 Team meeting in the Lubuskie Voivodeship

The meeting on 6 September 2021 addressed inter-voivodeship cooperation for the revitalisation of the Polish section of the IWW E70. Among other things, possibilities to finance the development of a corridor study for the Oder-Vistula waterway (IWW E70) using external funds, e.g. under the Interreg Programmes for 2021-2027, were considered. It is worth mentioning that so far the first stage of the above mentioned Study has been completed, including the analysis of conditions for the operation of the Oder-Vistula waterway and its adaptation to the requirements of the AGN Convention, as well as an analysis of spatial, environmental and physiographic conditions.
The meeting also discussed further cooperation of the signatories of the IWW E70 agreements for the revitalisation of its Polish section in the coming years, a social media campaign on the Polish section of the IWW E70 and the development of water tourism infrastructure. The latter issue was the subject of a field workshop. In the first part, the participants visited the river port in Cigacice. Until recently, it was a transhipment port for agricultural produce and coal. Unfortunately, due to the poor navigability of the Oder, the shipping of goods was abandoned. Today, several marinas operate here, such as the passenger marina for cruise ships sailing on the Oder. In turn, the Przystań Tu tavern is a place known for its attractive outdoor events and cuisine. Recently, the port in Cigacice on the Oder River was purchased from the Katowicki Węgiel company by the municipality of Sulechów. The authorities intend to support tourism, expand the marina and create better conditions for sailors and motorboaters.
On 7 September 2021, representatives of the IWW E70 Task Force held a field workshop on the section of the IWW E70 crossing the Lubuskie Voivodeship, which included a boat cruise from Gorzów Wielkopolski to Santok and then along the Noteć River towards Trzebicz. During the cruise, they visited marinas in Gorzów Wielkopolski and Santok and discussed opportunities and problems in the operation of the facilities, as well as economic activities carried out in this area (boat charter, variability of navigational conditions hampering sailing). In Santok the cruise participants visited the Castle Museum and the marina. The museum houses a modern exhibition presenting an “archaeological site” with authentic exhibits and remains of buildings that formed an ancient castle. The marina, on the other hand, is a professional facility with a basin, a pier for mooring boats, tourist lodges for boaters and shelters. The refurbished boathouse offers space for boats as well as a bicycle and kayak rental shop. The construction of the marina in Santok was possible owing to cooperation with partners from Germany, the municipality of Rudersdorf. The project “Rivers connect us – stage II. Development of the cross-border water tourism infrastructure in the EPEV area” was implemented under the INTERREG VA Brandenburg – Poland Cooperation Program 2014-2020.