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 measures are in place to ensure the transparency of real estate transactions involving the mayor’s office in Leobersdorf?
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter: Defending the Leobersdorf Property Deal**
**Interviewer:** Mayor Ramharter, thank you for joining us today. Recently, your real estate company sold a property for 15.25 million euros, along with an additional 1.34 million from reallocations. Many have criticized this deal as a conflict of interest. How do you respond to those allegations?
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for having me. I want to stress that I see no bias in this transaction. We’ve operated within the framework of the law and complied with all necessary regulations. The local council has actively discussed potential conflicts, and we are diligent in our oversight.
**Interviewer:** Your company acquired this land in 2021 before selling it to a building contractor in stages. Critics have pointed out that some of the land designated for public use is being converted for commercial purposes. Can you explain the rationale behind this decision?
**Mayor Ramharter:** Certainly. The land has long been earmarked for development, and we are adhering to our commitment to actively pursue necessary rezonings. The transformation of some public traffic areas into private roads is intended to facilitate local business growth while ensuring that we’ve conducted thorough ground assessments to respect the historical significance of the site.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of historical significance, organizations like the Mauthausen Memorial have expressed concerns regarding the construction plans. They’ve attempted to engage in dialogue but felt their concerns were ignored. How do you respond to that?
**Mayor Ramharter:** We have indeed made efforts to maintain open lines of communication with the Mauthausen Memorial and have conducted ground surveys. While we may not always see eye to eye, I assure you that we have approached this process with integrity and care.
**Interviewer:** Some lawmakers, including members from the SPÖ and the Green Party, are calling for federal intervention to classify the area as a memorial site. What is your stance on this?
**Mayor Ramharter:** While I understand the historical concerns expressed, it’s essential to recognize that not every site will meet monument protection criteria. We’ve documented the historical context, and repurposing areas that were once camps is part of broader urban development trends we see in many regions. We must balance remembrance with the needs of a growing community.
**Interviewer:** There are calls for reviewing the control mechanisms regarding properties in historically sensitive areas. Do you think there is a need for reform?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I acknowledge the dialogue around this issue. Transparency is crucial, and I am open to discussing how we can improve our local governance frameworks. It’s important to ensure that all actions taken around zoning and development respect both our history and the needs of residents.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Mayor Ramharter. As local council elections approach in January 2025, what message would you like to share with the residents of Leobersdorf?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I’d like to reaffirm my commitment to the community. We have made decisions that consider both heritage and progress. I hope to continue serving Leobersdorf, addressing their needs while also ensuring that we honor our town’s past. Thank you for this opportunity.
