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Orihuela City Council recently presented its budget for 2025, outlining new objectives for the year. However, many of these goals overlap with those from 2024, as a significant number of projects remain incomplete. Despite the ambitious 2024 budget presented by the PP and Vox—totalling €41 million in investments tied to a bank loan—progress has been slow. The loan was only secured in late 2024, and most projects are yet to begin.
Some initiatives, such as the management of green areas and a new waste collection system, are underway but still failed to meet their promised 2024 deadlines. These, along with several other unfulfilled commitments, now form part of the 2025 roadmap.
Key Projects Still Pending from 2024
1. Management of Green Areas in Orihuela Costa
The municipal company ILDO was set to take over maintenance of green areas, but legal disputes delayed progress. This issue stems from unresolved controversies in the previous administration, where services were provided without contracts. Although plans began in early 2024 to entrust ILDO with the service, the transition remains incomplete.
2. Waste Management Overhaul
Plans to revamp waste collection and street cleaning by transferring these services to a municipal company have stalled. Mayor Pepe Vegara initially promised the system would launch by January 1, 2025. While administrative changes have been made, including the appointment of former PP councillor Dámaso Aparicio as manager, no start date for this essential service has yet been announced.
3. Rehabilitation of the Oriol Occupational Centre
After the devastating 2019 DANA storm, the Oriol Occupational Centre was rendered unusable with all the patients moved out. While renovations were tendered in May and awarded in September 2024, the promised reopening by Christmas did not materialize. The centre is now expected to be operational by April or May 2025.
4. AP-7 Pedestrian Footbridge
This long-demanded infrastructure project for Orihuela Costa residents, the subject of over 10 years of council promises, was announced in the 2024 budget but remains stagnant. No updates or timelines for its construction have been provided.
5. Beach Bars Left Unopened
Residents and tourists faced a second summer without functioning beach bars on Orihuela’s coastline. Some contracts were finalised late in 2024, but popular locations such as Punta Prima, Cala Estaca, and Cala Mosca remain without service.
Dozens of Other Pending Investments
The incomplete projects from 2024 include critical infrastructure, public services, and urban improvements. Notable examples:
Orihuela Costa Security and Emergency Centre (Phase 2): €1,161,000
Renovation of public lighting infrastructure: €720,000
Rehabilitation of the Orihuela Castle and defensive elements: €465,000
New drinking water reservoir for Orihuela Costa: €2,800,000
Beach accessibility improvements, including lifts for reduced mobility: €250,000
Expansion of skate parks in Orihuela and Orihuela Costa: €50,000
Development of Los Huertos parking area: €1,045,000
Despite the ambitious plans laid out in the 2024 budget, delays in financing and execution have left many projects unfulfilled. With these objectives now carried into 2025, the city faces mounting pressure to deliver on its commitments to residents.
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