Bernard Bilhac: “Everyone wants to pull in the same direction”

The president of the Oval Table, Bernard Bilhac, invites the prefect to the field of economy. JM – JM

The president of the Oval Table, Bernard Bilhac, invites the prefect to the field of economy. JM – JM

The prefect of Hérault is expected in the Heart of Hérault for the Oval Table on May 16. An update on the subjects that will be discussed, at the Château de Granoupiac, in Saint-André-de-Sangonis, with Bernard Bilhac, president of the association.

25 years ago, here in Tanes Basses, there were almost only vines. Today, this symbolic ZAC is full. How to continue to develop the economic base of Clermontais ? The question could be on the agenda of the next Oval table, on May 16, at which François Xavier Lauch, prefect of Hérault, is invited.

Yes, the prefect has agreed to come and debate with businesses and the economic circle of Clermontais. He gave carte blanche on the issues to be addressed. We took the recurring theme of which, the expansion of commercial zones and artisanal zones… We have yet to decide what the six main themes will be.

On development, the situation changes with the ZAN, zero, net artificialization…

Yes, the subject could be on the menu this evening. This is a real socio-economic problem. Everyone can understand that we cannot urbanize excessively and concrete everything. Despite everything, demographic growth is significant, our beautiful department attracts. We have to ask ourselves the question of where we are going to install people. On the other hand, small communities need to have a population renewal to maintain their services, their schools, their Post Office… The question can be asked: how will they continue to live without ossifying with this famous ZAN…

François Xavier-Lauch notably moved the lines on the northern interchange project in Clermont, what would you also expect, concretely, from him ?

The planets have to align. We need to have people who want to move in the same direction, I have the impression that this is the case. The planets seem to be aligning, we have experienced periods that were more complicated, there everyone, from elected officials to state services, wants to pull the territory in the same direction. We are happy about it and we help, according to our possibilities, to carry out certain projects. The prefect, representative of the State, is blunt and, I think, is also aware that the territory of the Heart of Hérault is an important strategic economic and social pole. Which was neglected for a few years when the two metropolises, Biterroise and Montpellieraine, cast a little shadow in the heart of Hérault. We see today that the Hérault valley is exploding, we see the work that Gignac is doing on the territory, the work that Clermont is now doing on the territory, the Lodévois is making his contribution to the situation. ;rsquo;building… It pulls everyone up.

The economic base is developing beyond Com coms. However, the question of creating an Agglo could be asked to the prefect. For you, it’s the future?

What we want to know is what this could bring. Today, we do not have any convincing evidence that allows us to comment on the subject. We are aware that, most certainly, this could bring additional financial power to municipalities and intercos but, we assume so. Would this provide an economic boost ? That’s what we want to know. On issues like this, we are kept a little aside, and that's normal, it's pure politics. What we are waiting for today is a response from the State to our professional and economic questions. An Agglo, why not, but we want to know what the advantages and disadvantages are of this system that we do not control. If we look around us; on the Lunel or Agde side, we see that the urban areas are developing…

What other files* could you discuss with the prefect ?

There is, for example, the subject of waste, it’s a really problematic one for us. They are becoming more and more expensive in the professional world. We find ourselves with increasingly heavy financial and technical constraints. Soumont arrives at the end, what will be next ? Economically, that's the question mark…hellip;.

Will there still be a bit of rugby talk at this Oval Table ?

No, not this time. But, for the next one, (in June – Editor's note) the president of the French Rugby Federation, Florian Grill, should be present at our side…

Themes: among the subjects that could be addressed also include: the economic development of Salagou;  mobility; water resources; Security… I subscribe to read more