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 – most of which was 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 National Council member 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.
What measures are in place to ensure that historical significance is preserved in the face of urban development projects like the one discussed with Mayor Ramharter?
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter on the Recent Real Estate Controversy in Leobersdorf**
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mayor Ramharter, for joining us today. There’s been considerable criticism regarding your real estate company’s sale of a property for 15.25 million euros and the additional 1.34 million received through reallocations. How do you defend this deal amidst the concerns raised?
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for having me. I want to emphasize that there was no bias in this transaction. The local council and I have thoroughly examined all legal requirements and have acted with transparency throughout the process.
**Interviewer:** Critics, including representatives from the Mauthausen Memorial and various political parties, have stated that these plans show a disregard for the historical significance of the land, particularly given its connection to wartime camps. How do you respond to those concerns?
**Mayor Ramharter:** We have actively engaged with the Mauthausen Memorial and the Federal Monuments Office to address these concerns directly. We conducted ground surveys to ensure that any foundations from the past are preserved, and we’ve committed to not building basements in the area. Additionally, it’s important to note that the region has long existed as designated operating land.
**Interviewer:** Some oppose these developments by calling it an “unbearable forgetfulness of history.” Do you believe the project will contribute to the ongoing remembrance of the Holocaust?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I understand the sensitivity surrounding the land’s past, and I believe it’s critical to balance development with remembrance. While some areas have been repurposed, we are committed to ensuring that any new projects do not erase the history but rather respect it.
**Interviewer:** There are calls for stricter controls on mayoral oversight in real estate dealings, especially given that your party holds the majority in the local council. What steps do you think should be taken to address these concerns?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I believe we can improve dialogue between all stakeholders, which is crucial for transparency. I’m always open to discussing controls that ensure accountability while also facilitating responsible development that benefits the community.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, with local council elections approaching in January 2025, how do you think this issue will affect voter sentiment towards your leadership?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I believe voters will consider the full spectrum of my administration’s work, including investments in the community and our commitment to managing historical sites responsibly. I remain focused on fostering a constructive dialogue as we move forward.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Mayor Ramharter. We appreciate you taking the time to address these pressing issues.
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential to discuss these matters openly.
