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, 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 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.
What strategies is Mayor Ramharter implementing to address public concerns regarding historical significance in real estate development in Leobersdorf?
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter on Real Estate Controversy in Leobersdorf**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Mayor Ramharter. Let’s dive right into the recent controversy surrounding your real estate company’s sale of land for €15.25 million. What is your response to the criticism regarding potential bias in this deal?
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for having me. First, I want to emphasize that we’ve handled this transaction with complete transparency and in line with all legal requirements. There is no bias in this deal; both the local council and I have ensured that all appropriate procedures were followed.
**Editor:** Reports indicate that your holding company initially acquired the land in 2021 and sold it over two years. Can you elaborate on the “purchase price improvements” tied to the reallocation of land, especially concerning the public traffic areas that were changed to private roads?
**Mayor Ramharter:** Absolutely. The initial agreements included provisions for these so-called purchase price improvements, which were essential for making the land more viable for development. Our commitment to actively pursue these rezonings in good faith was made clear in the contracts. The land was already largely classified for building purposes, and we saw an opportunity to maximize its potential for community development.
**Editor:** There have been voices of concern, especially from the Mauthausen Memorial and local political figures, who believe this project is an “unbearable forgetfulness of history.” How do you respond to those sentiments?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I respect the perspectives of the Mauthausen Memorial and the critics. However, it’s important to note that we have engaged in dialogue with them, and their concerns have been taken seriously. We conducted ground radar surveys and committed to practices such as not building basements to preserve what remains from the past. Our goal is to balance commercial development while honoring historical memories.
**Editor:** There are demands for federal intervention to secure the site as a memorial. Do you believe this is a necessary step?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I think it’s crucial to strike a balance. While I acknowledge the historical significance of the site, our planning decisions must also consider the community’s needs for development. The Federal Monuments Office has made it clear that the area is not currently under monument protection, and it is essential that we respect both history and progress.
**Editor:** Critics, including some members of your political sphere, are calling for changes in spatial planning laws to prevent development on historically significant sites. Do you feel that there should be reforms in how these decisions are made?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I believe that constructive dialogue is essential. If there are valid concerns regarding the existing laws or control mechanisms, I am open to discussing those. However, we must also recognize the long-standing designation of this land and the need for growth in our community context.
**Editor:** With local elections coming up in 2025 and your position as the top candidate for the Future Leobersdorf list, how do you think this issue will impact your candidacy?
**Mayor Ramharter:** Every issue has the potential to influence public opinion in elections. My focus remains on transparent governance and delivering results that benefit our community. I believe that if we continue to communicate openly about our actions and decisions, we can maintain the trust of the electorate.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mayor Ramharter, for your insights. We appreciate you taking the time to discuss this important matter.
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to keep the conversation going.
