By Chrysostomos Tsoufis

Barrage of checks for violations on the beaches the Minister of Finance announced for the next few days Kostis Hatzidakis.

The co-competent bodies, i.e. the ministry, the AADE, the Land Service and the local bodies are in contact to determine the details of the audit process as all the auctions for the concessions throughout the territory have now been completed and they have all the data in their mood.

The fact that someone may be a “fresh” winner of an auction that gives them the right to exploit a beach does not make them more or less a candidate to be controlled.
According to Kostis Hatzidakis, a large percentage of controls will be based on the complaints made by citizens through of the myCoast platform.

The first criterion will be the number of violations a beach has accumulated. The latest figures – whose update is imminent – ​​said complaints were approaching 9,000, actually 8,911. According to the Minister, the 10 most-reported areas exceed 600 reports each. And they are also the ones that will have to wait for the ranks of the auditors. In theory, therefore, the following should be on alert:

  • Halkidiki with 1404 complaints
  • I predicted with 967 complaints
  • Eastern Attica with 900 complaints
  • Dodecanese with 766 complaints
  • Cyclades with 680 complaints

In addition, special weight will be given to named complaints, which by their nature are considered the most reliable since the complainant takes responsibility for what he says by name. It is estimated that about 1 in 8 complaints, 1100 in total are named and the authorities intend to use them and if they are found fines will rain down.

Fines which vary according to the type of offence. According to the new framework, among the obligations of concessionaires are:

  • Ensuring that at least 50% of the beach remains free. The area of ​​each concession cannot exceed 500 sq.m.
  • Umbrella seats occupy up to 60% of the concession or 30% for beaches in Natura areas. They should be at least 4 meters from the sea.
  • The distance between concessions should be at least 6 meters
  • Free and unhindered access for the public, special provisions for disabled people
  • Placing a sign in a prominent place with the details of the concession
  • Lifeguard existence

Penalties

Arbitrary occupation: sealing and shutdown of the business in the occupied space is imposed, the space is sealed with tape and entry and any economic activity in it is prohibited. A fine equal to four times the price of the concession is imposed and the violator is excluded from any beach and beach concession process for five years.

Exceeding allowance: For excesses of more than 30%, exclusion from participation in auctions for 5 years and suspension of the operation of the business are foreseen. Fines are provided for smaller excesses.

Obstruction of free public access: Fines from €2,000 to €60,000

Changes in the environment: Criminal sanctions