Pilotmaßnahme Lafnitz Neudau abgeschlossen – Frau steht vor Informationstafel zur Flussstrukturierung Wörth und Neudau

IRIS Pilot Measure on the Lafnitz in Neudau Officially Completed

After roughly two and a half years of construction, the Neudau flood protection measure and the accompanying IRIS pilot measure were officially completed with the opening ceremony on July 1, 2026. As a result, around 500 residents and about 180 properties in the municipality of Neudau are now protected against a 100-year flood event of the Lafnitz. The heavy rainfall and flood events of recent years have repeatedly shown how important the measures on the Lafnitz are.

The overall project serves as a pilot for the River Development and Risk Management Concept (GE-RM) and demonstrates how flood protection and river ecology objectives can be successfully combined.

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Pilotmaßnahme Lafnitz Neudau abgeschlossen – renaturierter Bachabschnitt mit Steinstrukturen und naturnaher Ufervegetation

Flood Protection

The new flood protection system is now complete and consists of around 2.6 kilometers of protective dikes as well as five additional structures. Regulating structures on the Angerbach and Lobenbach streams will control the water flowing into the town area, helping to protect the residential area.

Pilotmaßnahme Lafnitz Neudau abgeschlossen – Projektpartner und Vertreter bei der Eröffnungsfeier vor LIFE-IRIS-Bannern

More Room for Nature

In addition to flood protection, the ecological quality of the Lafnitz was also a key focus. For a long time, the Lafnitz near Neudau was heavily regulated, leaving little room for natural dynamics. With the IRIS revitalization measures, the river is now regaining more space, allowing it to develop back into a healthy and vibrant river. Flood protection remains unaffected by this and continues to be the top priority.

“With the completion of this once-in-a-century project, Neudau gains sustainable protection against flood events while also benefiting from an ecologically enhanced Lafnitz. This creates greater safety for our residents and secures the long-term positive development of our municipality. I am especially pleased that Neudau, as a pilot region in the LIFE IRIS project, is taking on a pioneering role across Austria, demonstrating how flood protection and nature conservation can be successfully combined.”

Mayor Wolfgang Dolesch

Experience Nature

The revitalization measures also create an attractive recreational area right by the river. On a walk along the river, you can explore the measures for yourself and experience firsthand how a once-monotonous waterway is gradually transforming back into a vibrant river.