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 business area, while 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. 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 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 do you plan to address the concerns of residents regarding the ethical implications of the property sale?
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Mayor Ramharter. There has been significant public discourse surrounding the recent sale of the property by your real estate company. Can you explain the rationale behind this deal and how you see it?
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for having me. The decision to sell the property for 15.25 million euros, along with the additional allocation of 1.34 million, was driven by a careful consideration of the economic development needs of Leobersdorf. The land was already designated for building, and these transactions follow legal protocols. I stand by the process—there was no bias involved.
**Editor:** Many critics have expressed concerns regarding the historical significance of the land previously housing a concentration camp subcamp. How do you respond to those sentiments?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I understand the concerns surrounding historical memory, and I want to assure the public that we approached this matter with the utmost care. We engaged with the Mauthausen Memorial and conducted necessary surveys to ensure any remnants of the past were respected. We’re committed to preserving the site in a manner that acknowledges its history, and we’ve agreed not to build basements, which would disturb any foundational remains.
**Editor:** However, some local leaders have described the development as an “unbearable forgetfulness of history.” What do you say to those who believe that prioritizing economic interests over historical preservation is misguided?
**Mayor Ramharter:** It’s essential to strike a balance between progress and memory. Economic development is crucial for our community’s future, but it should not come at the expense of our history. The area has long been earmarked for redevelopment, and we are taking steps to ensure that history is preserved alongside growth—something that has happened at various similar sites.
**Editor:** There are calls for stricter controls on property dealings by mayors. Do you believe the current regulations are sufficient, or is there a need for reform?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I acknowledge that discussions around regulations are vital, especially in complex matters like these. It’s important to maintain trust in local governance. However, I believe the existing mechanisms, when adhered to properly, provide a solid framework. I’m open to discussions that can further improve transparency and accountability.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Mayor Ramharter. It’s clear that this issue strikes at the heart of community values and governance.
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for the opportunity. It is vital for us to engage in these conversations and work together for the benefit of our community.
