A new controlled floodplain is to be developed in Halle, near Grote Weide, following unanimous approval of a collaboration agreement between the city of Halle and the province of Flemish Brabant on Tuesday.
The floodplain aims to protect Poststraat, Victor Baetensstraat, and part of Bergensesteenweg from frequent flooding. Residents and businesses in these areas have often had to pump water out of their basements and garages when the nearby Groebegracht Creek overflows.
During heavy rain, the creek channels significant amounts of water from the surrounding valley slopes and plots towards Halle city centre, regularly flooding the streets.
To mitigate this water overflow, the city and the province are working on establishing the new controlled floodplain. It will be situated at Grote Weide, in the field between the Sint-Maria Hospital, Beertsestraat, and Victor Demesmaekerstraat. The area will have the capacity to hold around 72,000 cubic metres of water.
Embankments will be constructed around the zone, and Tramstraat will be elevated. Additionally, a ditch system will be created, and the Groebegracht will be adjusted to a meandering course to slow down the water flow. A picnic meadow, observation terrace, and viewing platform will also be established. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025.
The total cost of the project is over €1.8 million. The province will contribute nearly €1 million, while the remainder will be covered by the city of Halle.
The project has also received European subsidies through the LIFE-IP Belini project, plus Flemish subsidies via the Flemish Environment Agency’s Living Water Programme and the Green Belt Programme of the Agency for Nature and Forests.
