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. When asked on Wednesday, the mayor confirmed 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 storage 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.
What specific measures has Mayor Ramharter implemented to ensure the transparency of real estate transactions involving his company?
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter on Recent Real Estate Controversy**
**Interviewer:** Mayor Ramharter, thank you for joining me today. You recently sold a property through your real estate company for €15.25 million, along with an additional €1.34 million from reallocations. Critics are suggesting potential bias due to this transaction. How do you respond to these accusations?
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for having me. I understand the concerns raised, but I want to emphasize that there was absolutely no bias in this deal. We followed all legal requirements and focused on transparency throughout the process. Our decisions have been guided by the best interests of the community.
**Interviewer:** Some reports indicate that your company acquired the land in 2021 and that certain zones have been reallocated. Can you explain the reasoning behind these reallocations?
**Mayor Ramharter:** The area in question has long been designated for development. The reallocations, including those along the federal highway for access, were necessary for optimizing the use of the land. It’s important to note that the majority was already earmarked for this purpose, and we are committed to pursuing it responsibly and in good faith.
**Interviewer:** Critics, including the SPÖ and the Green Party, argue that developing this land disregards its historical significance, particularly its connection to the Hirtenberg concentration camp. What is your stance on preserving the memory of this site?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I fully acknowledge the historical importance of the site and have worked diligently to ensure that we maintain its integrity. We conducted thorough ground radar surveys and agreed not to build basements to preserve any existing foundations. While we strive for development, we are also sensitive to the history and are engaged in open dialogue with relevant stakeholders.
**Interviewer:** There have been calls for stricter regulations on how municipalities handle historically sensitive lands, especially concerning mayors who operate in real estate. Do you think changes are necessary?
**Mayor Ramharter:** While I respect differing opinions, I believe that the systems we have can work effectively with appropriate oversight. Any calls for regulatory changes should be carefully considered to ensure they serve the community and do not hinder responsible development that benefits our local economy.
**Interviewer:** with upcoming elections in 2025 and the strong position of your party, do you see this controversy impacting your campaign?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I’m focused on addressing the issues at hand rather than speculating on political consequences. Our community deserves clarity and cooperation as we navigate these discussions together. I am confident that if we continue to communicate effectively, we can move past these controversies and work towards community growth.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Mayor Ramharter. We look forward to seeing how this situation develops.
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for having me.
