Geneva communes should open up lake space for all

Pixabay

Communes in canton Geneva may lose the right to keep their bathing spaces for local residents only.

Over the last few years, it’s becoming increasingly common that communes with access to the lakeside seal off the space to locals only – or charge outsiders for access while free for residents. 

In the sights of the cantonal minister, Antonio Hodgers, are the municipalities of Pregny-Chambésy, Collonge-Bellerive and Hermance. 

The communes argue it's to prevent overcrowding, but Hodgers says it’s essential that people can cool down over the summer. 

The proposed bill in front of the cantonal Grand Council will not prevent communes from charging for access – but they will have to treat everyone, local or outsider, the same. 

But it’s unlikely the bill will be passed in time to make a change this season. 

More from Bitesize News

  • Geneva could foot the G7 bill

    Geneva fears it will be left with the security bill from a G7 summit just across the border in Évian, according to 24 heures.

  • US NGO discovers Swiss child abuse cases

    Switzerland relies too heavily on an American NGO to detect child sexual abuse online, raising questions about the country's ability to protect children on its own.

  • French singer banned by Paleo

    The Paléo Festival in Nyon says it will no longer invite French singer Patrick Bruel, after a former volunteer accused him of inappropriate behaviour.

  • Cars going uninspected

    The cantons are struggling to keep up with mandatory vehicle inspections, leaving more than 550,000 checks overdue nationwide.

  • War may lead to rent rises

    Rents may rise again, says the bank Raiffeisen.

  • Not a heatwave, yet

    Summer has arrived, with temperatures climbing past 30 over the long weekend. Basel reached 31 and Sion hit 32.4, but MeteoSwiss, says this does not yet count as an official heatwave.

Download our app

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play