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 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. 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. “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.
**1. What are the key concerns raised by critics regarding the Leobersdorf property project linked to historical sites?**
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter on the Leobersdorf Property Controversy**
**Interviewer:** Mayor Ramharter, thank you for joining us today. There has been significant backlash regarding your sale of the property linked to the former Hirtenberg concentration camp subcamp. Can you explain the reasoning behind this project?
**Andreas Ramharter:** Thank you for having me. The designation as an operating area has been in place for a long time, and we believe it’s essential to move forward with the development that the community needs. Our focus has been on economic growth and utilizing lands that are already designated for such use.
**Interviewer:** Critics, including the SPÖ and the Green Party, have described this action as an “unbearable forgetfulness of history.” How do you respond to these claims?
**Andreas Ramharter:** I appreciate the importance of historical remembrance, and I want to clarify that we’ve handled this matter with great care. The decision was made following thorough discussions with stakeholders, including the Federal Monuments Office. They confirmed that the site does not meet current criteria for monument protection. Moreover, we are committed to preserving the historical elements of the site without compromising the zoning requirements.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned discussions with the Mauthausen Memorial and the Federal Monuments Office. Can you elaborate on these interactions?
**Andreas Ramharter:** Certainly. We consulted with both organizations to ensure that we approached the development responsibly. We conducted ground radar surveys and agreed not to build basements to preserve historical foundations. It is crucial for us to balance progress with respect for history.
**Interviewer:** However, there are concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest since your real estate company benefited from the sale. How do you address these concerns?
**Andreas Ramharter:** The sale was conducted transparently and legally. My company acquired the land in 2021 and followed all necessary legal requirements for zoning and sales. We have made sure that every step was compliant with regulations. There was no bias in the local council’s decisions; we closely adhered to the law.
**Interviewer:** The NEOS party has suggested a need for action regarding control mechanisms in municipalities. Do you think there is a need for stricter regulations to prevent similar conflicts in the future?
**Andreas Ramharter:** I recognize the importance of robust checks and balances in local governance. Ensuring that there is a clear separation between personal business interests and public responsibilities is crucial. It’s something that can be discussed further at a legislative level to prevent any appearance of impropriety in the future.
**Interviewer:** What do you see as the next steps for the Leobersdorf project amid this controversy?
**Andreas Ramharter:** Moving forward, we will continue to engage with the community and ensure that our plans are transparent. We are open to dialog and input from the public and stakeholders to address concerns while also fulfilling the economic needs of the area.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mayor Ramharter, for your insights. It is clear that this situation remains sensitive, and the community is still seeking assurance that history will not be forgotten.
**Andreas Ramharter:** Thank you for the opportunity to clarify our position. We are fully committed to honoring our history while also looking towards the future.
