The province of Flevoland does not currently want to take the lead in finding a solution to water safety concerns in the Parkhaven district of Lelystad. Residents say soil subsidence, extreme weather and rising water levels in the IJsselmeer are causing increasing nuisance. The Zuiderzeeland water board has not agreed to raise the quay or safety standards, saying that the residents, as property owners, are responsible. Residents asked the province to take a directing role through the Regional Water Programme, arguing that the issue has become too complex for them to manage alone.

Deputy Sjaak Simonse said the matter was primarily between the Parkhaven owners’ association and the water board. He wants to await a historical fact-finding investigation into agreements between Parkhaven, the water board, Rijkswaterstaat and the province, which is expected to be completed by December, as well as a pending case before the Council of State. Residents noted that the case was referred to the Council of State about a year and a half ago but has not yet been scheduled. They were disappointed by Simonse’s position and said they would consider how to change his mind. Simonse later denied that the province applies different rules to Parkhaven and the outer-dike harbour of Urk, where the province wants to build a wave breaker while leaving its maintenance to entrepreneurs.