BY TOMÁS MORENO
During the municipal plenary session on July 30th, a political dispute erupted between the opposition and the ruling council (PP and VOX) over the investments allocated to Orihuela Costa during the current 2023–2027 term.
Rather than relying on rhetoric, the best approach is to consult the archives and objectively review the data to report on the significant investments and initiatives completed so far, those currently underway, and those unlikely to be finalized before the May 2027 elections.
1. Investments Made to Date: €10.4 Million (33% of the Total)
Among the most significant completed projects, the following stand out:
- Waste Management: The acquisition of 12 refuse collection trucks for the entire municipality and the replacement of one-third of the coastal waste bins (€4 million). However, this remains entirely insufficient to provide adequate service, particularly during the peak summer months.
- Maintenance Services: The introduction of maintenance services for green spaces, children’s play areas, and roads (€4 million annually) through the municipal companies ILDO and ECOPLAN. Unfortunately, both services suffer from a severe lack of resources, rendering their output inadequate for the coastal area’s needs. Overgrown palm trees and the deplorable state of road markings and signage clearly highlight these shortcomings.
- Road Resurfacing: A road resurfacing program (€1 million) improved key coastal routes, such as Avenida de Villamartín. Yet, with over 700 roads along the coast, a much more ambitious, multi-million-euro resurfacing initiative is urgently needed.
- Coastal Repairs: The repair of the railings at Playa Flamenca and La Zenia (€160,000). This project was poorly executed, as sections of heavily rusted old railings were reused with deplorable results—a fact that speaks volumes about the oversight of Mr. Mestre, the councillor responsible for the coast and this specific project.
2. Investments Currently Underway: €10.4 Million (33% of the Total)
Between now and the end of March 2027, several major coastal investments are scheduled for execution. These include:
- The new drinking water reservoir.
- Further upgrades to street cleaning and waste collection infrastructure (trucks, machinery, etc.).
- The renewal of the drinking water network.
- The resurfacing of Miguel de Cervantes Street in Dehesa de Campoamor.
- The installation of a stormwater drain at the N332 underpass.
There are, however, significant doubts as to whether the pedestrian extension of the bridge over the AP7 will be completed in time, or if its opening will be delayed until the new administration takes office in June 2027.
3. Investments Unlikely to Be Completed: €10.8 Million (34% of the Total)
Once the May 2027 elections are officially announced (expected in early April 2027), the council will be legally prohibited from inaugurating works or services funded by municipal money.
This leaves approximately seven months to tender, award, and execute the remaining contracts. Based on current forecasts, the council will fail to complete several critical projects, including:
- The Second Health Centre: This will not be ready until at least 2029, following the cancellation of the Aguamarina center extension.
- The Civic Centre and Auditorium.
- The Local Waste Management Plan: The measures required for its implementation are severely behind schedule.
- The Permanent Coastal Recycling Centre: This facility is desperately needed to alleviate the ongoing chaos caused by the uncontrolled dumping of garden waste, rubble, and household items on the streets.
4. Final Assessment of the 2023–2027 Term
Of the more than €31 million in planned investments for the coastal area over this four-year term, one-third has been completed, and another third is projected to be finished before the May 2027 elections.
These figures would be acceptable if the completed and ongoing projects significantly improved basic coastal services, such as street cleaning, waste collection, green space and road maintenance, street lighting, and public transport.
Regrettably, this is not the case. It appears this term will ultimately fail to deliver the standard of services that coastal residents demand—and deserve—given their substantial contribution to the municipal budget.
For some residents, this ongoing neglect reinforces the belief that adequate municipal service can only be achieved through segregation.
