Mayor Andreas Ramharter’s real estate company (List Zukunft Leobersdorf) sold the property for 15.25 million euros and received an extra 1.34 million through reallocation, reported “WZ”, “Falter” and ORF. When asked, Ramharter defended the deal and saw no bias. Criticism came from several quarters.
According to reports, Ramharter’s holding company acquired the land in 2021 and sold it to a building contractor in two tranches over the following two years. The contracts contained two so-called purchase price improvements in connection with reallocations until the end of 2024 on the meadow – which was largely already dedicated to building land. A strip along the federal highway dedicated to public traffic should become a building site for the operating area, and a second public traffic area should become a private road. Ramharter’s company committed to “actively pursue these rezonings in good faith and to support them in the best possible way,” as it was stated in both purchase agreements, according to the reports.
“Attempts to bring about dialogue failed”
The reallocations were carried out with local council resolutions in 2023 and this year in September, and the mayor himself also agreed. “As the market town of Leobersdorf, we have dealt with the issue of bias on several occasions and also pay very close attention to compliance with the relevant legal requirements,” said Ramharter, according to the reports. The mayor confirmed on Wednesday when asked that there was no bias. He did not comment on purchase prices.
According to the media, the Mauthausen Memorial emphasized in a written statement: “Immediately after the planned use of the area for commercial purposes became known, the Mauthausen Memorial drew attention to the problem of commercial development.” But “repeated attempts to bring about a dialogue failed.”
“We handled it cleanly”
Ramharter, on the other hand, spoke of contact with the Mauthausen Memorial and the Federal Monuments Office: “We worked through it properly and always sought cooperation.” For example, ground radar surveys and explorations were carried out in the area. It was agreed not to build basements in order to preserve the foundations, said Ramharter. The designation as an operating area has existed for a long time. He also noted that several areas that served as camps during wartime had already been repurposed.
According to the reports, the Federal Monuments Office confirmed that it had held “discussions with stakeholders”. We have no influence on zoning. The area is not under monument protection. There are, among other things, the foundations of barracks on the grounds in Leobersdorf where the Hirtenberg concentration camp subcamp stood. “From the current perspective, these remains – even in comparison with other former, archaeologically identifiable camps that are under monument protection – are not sufficient within the meaning of the Monument Protection Act to place them under monument protection,” said the Federal Monuments Office, according to reports.
“Unbearable oblivion of history”
The SPÖ spokeswoman for the culture of remembrance, Sabine Schatz, described the construction plans on Wednesday as an “unbearable forgetfulness of history” and called for the project to be stopped. “The historical responsibility towards the victims of the Nazi era requires that these places be treated with respect,” said the member of the National Council in a broadcast. “The fact that profits were made by repurposing these areas has a very pale aftertaste.” She called for federal intervention to secure the site as a memorial site in the long term. SPÖ federal women’s chairwoman Eva-Maria Holzleitner believes it is important to “carry on the memory of the fate of women under National Socialism.”
“What we are observing here is a frightening example of how historically sensitive land is dealt with when economic interests are in the foreground,” criticized Helga Krismer, club leader of the Lower Austria Green Party, in a press release. The planned construction project is “an example of the worrying development of spatial planning” in the state: “It is particularly worrying that there are always people profiting from this development in the mayor’s environment.” Krismer announced an application to amend the Lower Austrian Spatial Planning Act, which provides for a ban on development on historically contaminated properties.
“Need for action regarding control mechanisms”
NEOS state party leader Indra Collini saw “an enormous need for action in the control mechanisms within municipalities” as well as the need to think about a stricter values compass for mayors. “In the case of the Leobersdorf case, it will be necessary to examine exactly what the local council knew in this complex rezoning vote and what perhaps it did not,” she said in a broadcast.
“The questionable property deals show once again that there are massive structural problems in spatial planning,” WWF soil protection spokesman Simon Pories called for competence reforms as well as stricter laws and controls in a broadcast. In addition, it must be ruled out that mayors are allowed to work in the real estate or construction industry at the same time, because this opens the door to potential incompatibilities when rezoning.
The Future Leobersdorf list holds the absolute majority in the local council. In 2020, 53.30 percent was achieved. Local council elections will take place in Lower Austria in January 2025, and Ramharter will be the top candidate for the Future Leobersdorf list.
How do you plan to engage with the community to address their concerns regarding the real estate deal and its implications?
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter on the Recent Real Estate Deal Controversy**
*Interviewer:* Mayor Ramharter, thank you for joining us today. Your recent real estate dealings involving the property that was previously part of the Hirtenberg concentration camp subcamp have sparked considerable controversy. Can you explain the rationale behind this deal?
*Mayor Ramharter:* Thank you for having me. The deal was made for 15.25 million euros, and we received an additional 1.34 million through necessary reallocations. This property was largely designated for building land already, and the contractual agreements included improvements that I believe are in the community’s best interest. We’ve always acted faithfully in handling these dealings.
*Interviewer:* Critics, including representatives from the Mauthausen Memorial, have called this an “unbearable forgetfulness of history.” How do you respond to concerns about the historical significance of that land?
*Mayor Ramharter:* I respect those concerns, and I reiterate that we’ve engaged in discussions with the Mauthausen Memorial and the Federal Monuments Office. We’ve taken steps like ground radar surveys and agreed not to build basements to protect any foundations present. Our goal is to manage this area appropriately while also considering its potential for development.
*Interviewer:* Some have suggested this exemplifies a troubling trend of prioritizing economic interests over historical sensitivity. How do you reconcile those priorities in your role as mayor?
*Mayor Ramharter:* It’s a balance, indeed. We must ensure the development meets the needs of our current community while being respectful of the past. We have a long-standing designation for many of these sites, and previous repurposing efforts demonstrate that development can coexist with memorializing history.
*Interviewer:* There are calls for reform regarding the role of mayors in real estate dealings to avoid conflicts of interest. Do you think there is a need for a stricter regulatory framework?
*Mayor Ramharter:* I believe there is always room for improvement in governance and oversight. However, I stand by our local council’s decisions and their commitment to transparency. We have enacted controls to manage these processes, and I am open to discussion about how we can further enhance them.
*Interviewer:* Lastly, as local council elections approach in January 2025, how do you plan to address this issue to reassure voters?
*Mayor Ramharter:* I will continue to communicate openly with the community about our decisions and the processes behind them. It’s paramount for voters to understand that we are handling these matters seriously and transparently, and I encourage dialogue on these important topics. Our focus remains on delivering the best for Leobersdorf while respecting our shared history.
*Interviewer:* Thank you, Mayor Ramharter, for your insights on this complex issue.
*Mayor Ramharter:* Thank you for having me.
