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 does Mayor Ramharter plan to balance community development with the historical significance of the land tied to the concentration camp subsite?
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter on Real Estate Controversy in Leobersdorf**
*Interviewer*: Good afternoon, Mayor Ramharter. Thank you for joining us today. Let’s delve into the recent controversy surrounding the sale of the land in Leobersdorf by your real estate company, List Zukunft Leobersdorf. Some critics have accused you of potential bias in this deal. How do you respond to those claims?
*Mayor Ramharter*: Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. I want to be clear: I see no bias in this transaction. Our priority has always been to adhere to legal requirements and ethical standards. The decisions made were in line with local council guidelines and aimed at enhancing the area.
*Interviewer*: The reports indicate that your company sold the property for 15.25 million euros, receiving an additional 1.34 million through reallocations. Can you elaborate on the justification for these financial figures?
*Mayor Ramharter*: I cannot comment on the specific purchase prices, but it’s essential to recognize that all agreements were made transparently and with the intention to develop the site in a responsible manner. The land was primarily designated as building land, and our commitment to improving the area’s infrastructure is reflected in those reallocation fees.
*Interviewer*: The Mauthausen Memorial and various political figures have expressed concern that this development represents an “unbearable forgetfulness of history,” given its ties to a concentration camp subsite. How do you reconcile the need for development with the historical significance of the land?
*Mayor Ramharter*: We understand the sensitivities involved with this site. Our approach has included consulting with relevant historical bodies and taking measures to preserve the historical aspects of the foundations. Maintaining a dialogue with organizations like the Mauthausen Memorial is crucial to us, and we strive to respect the land’s history while also addressing contemporary needs.
*Interviewer*: Critics like Helga Krismer from the Green Party have suggested that profit-driven motives overshadow historical responsibility in such projects. Can you address these concerns?
*Mayor Ramharter*: I believe it’s essential to differentiate between profit motives and responsible land development. Our goal is to ensure that the area is utilized appropriately, benefiting the community while also honoring its past. We have completed thorough surveys and agreed not to build basements to protect the historical foundations, which shows our commitment to this balance.
*Interviewer*: There are also calls for reforms in local governance to prevent potential conflicts of interest for mayors involved in real estate. What is your stance on these proposals?
*Mayor Ramharter*: I appreciate the need for rigorous oversight in municipal dealings. While I believe that local councils should have the flexibility to manage land use effectively, I am open to discussing necessary improvements to our governance structures to enhance transparency and maintain public trust.
*Interviewer*: As local council elections approach in January 2025, how do you plan to address these concerns moving forward?
*Mayor Ramharter*: We intend to continue our work with the community, ensuring open lines of communication and addressing any criticisms constructively. It’s vital for us to demonstrate how thoughtfully we are approaching these developments, aiming to benefit both the community’s current needs and our historical obligations.
*Interviewer*: Thank you for your insights, Mayor Ramharter. We appreciate you taking the time to clarify your position on this important issue.
*Mayor Ramharter*: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this matter. I appreciate the dialogue.