Versatile VBK Project in Starnmeer Completed

As part of the Boezemkades programme (VBK), the Starnmeer has been restored to its proper height and strength. Project Manager Rob Wijman and Environmental Manager Koos Woestenburg—who has since retired—look back with pride on this intensive, nearly ten-year project.

“It involved everything you might encounter in a project,” says Koos. “Relocating drainage ditches and (consequently) acquiring land, land swaps between farmers, coordinating with the province, rerouting cables and pipes, removing and replanting trees, and improving water management. The challenge in this peat polder became increasingly complex as the project progressed.” 

Thanks to the collaboration between the Province of North Holland, HHNK, Stivas (a foundation dedicated to improving agricultural infrastructure), and the farmers, the land swap and the necessary support gained significant momentum. 

The local community was well aware of the construction work: first, the replacement of two bridges and the reconstruction of the provincial road by the Province of North Holland. Then there was disruption caused by trucks, dredgers carrying soil, and the installation of sheet piling for the dike. The local community was aware of this and understood the inconvenience. Rob: “We wanted to reinforce the dike in the best possible cooperation with the local community, and we succeeded.”