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.
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter: Defending the Real Estate Deal in Leobersdorf**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mayor Ramharter. Recently, your real estate company sold a property in Leobersdorf for 15.25 million euros, with additional revenues from reallocations. What do you say to the criticisms suggesting there may be bias in this deal?
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for having me. I assure you that there has been no bias in this process. We have always adhered to legal requirements and have acted transparently throughout the sale and reallocation of the land. The local council has debated the potential bias multiple times and found no issues.
**Interviewer:** Critics, including the SPÖ spokeswoman for the culture of remembrance, have described this construction project as an “unbearable forgetfulness of history.” How do you respond to concerns regarding the historical significance of the land?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I understand and respect the concerns regarding the area’s history. We have engaged with local organizations like the Mauthausen Memorial and the Federal Monuments Office. We’ve conducted thorough ground radar surveys and ensured that no basements would be constructed to preserve any historical remains present on the site.
**Interviewer:** Some local politicians, including members of the Green Party, call for stricter laws to prevent development on historically sensitive properties. Do you believe there needs to be a change in the planning regulations?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I think discussions about historical preservation are important, but we must also balance this with the need for economic development. The area in question has been designated for commercial use for a long time, and we need to navigate these situations thoughtfully.
**Interviewer:** What steps are you taking to foster dialogue with critics of the project?
**Mayor Ramharter:** We have made numerous attempts to engage in constructive dialogue. It’s crucial to listen to all perspectives. While some of these initiatives have faced challenges, we remain open to continued discussions with concerned parties.
**Interviewer:** As you prepare for the local council elections in January 2025, how do you foresee this issue impacting your campaign?
**Mayor Ramharter:** My focus is on demonstrating that we have handled this situation responsibly and within the framework of our legal obligations. I believe that our commitment to transparency and cooperation with relevant stakeholders will resonate with voters.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mayor Ramharter, for sharing your thoughts on this complex issue. We appreciate your time.
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for the opportunity to clarify our position.
