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 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. 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. “Historical responsibility towards the victims of the Nazi era demands 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 steps are being taken to ensure that historical sensitivities are respected during the development process in Leobersdorf?
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter on the Recent Real Estate Controversy in Leobersdorf**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Mayor Ramharter. Recent reports have raised concerns regarding your real estate company’s deal involving the sale of property in Leobersdorf. Can you clarify the nature of this transaction and why it is facing criticism?
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for having me. The transaction involved the sale of land, which was purchased initially by my company in 2021. We sold it to a building contractor for 15.25 million euros, plus an additional 1.34 million through planned reallocations. I want to emphasize that all processes were conducted transparently and within legal frameworks.
**Editor:** Critics have pointed to potential conflicts of interest and biases in your dealings. How do you respond to those allegations?
**Mayor Ramharter:** We have thoroughly addressed the issue of bias in our town council. I assure you, there was no bias. The structures involved were not protected by monument laws, and the Federal Monuments Office confirmed there are no historical preservation restrictions applicable to this area.
**Editor:** The Mauthausen Memorial expressed concerns about the development, stating that attempts to dialogue were unsuccessful. What efforts did you make to communicate with them?
**Mayor Ramharter:** We did reach out to the Mauthausen Memorial and the Federal Monuments Office to ensure our plans respected historical sensitivities. We conducted ground surveys, and we’ve avoided plans that would disturb the foundations of the past. Comparative historical analyses were also performed to guide our decisions.
**Editor:** Local opposition has highlighted the need for greater oversight and controls regarding such developments. What measures do you believe should be implemented moving forward?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I acknowledge the importance of ongoing discourse about zoning and historical sites. It’s essential we continue to uphold stringent compliance with planning laws while also respecting our history. I remain open to further discussions about potential reforms in municipal oversight if it serves the community.
**Editor:** Before we conclude, why do you believe this project should continue in light of the concerns raised?
**Mayor Ramharter:** The project has the potential to stimulate economic growth for Leobersdorf, with a long-standing designation for the area as suitable for commercial development. Together with public input and historical consideration, we aim to balance progress with remembrance.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Mayor Ramharter. We appreciate you taking the time to discuss this matter with us.
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for having me. I appreciate the opportunity to clarify our position.