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. 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 National Council member 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 steps is Mayor Ramharter taking to ensure transparency in future real estate transactions to alleviate public concerns?
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter on Recent Property Deal Controversy**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Mayor Ramharter. The recent sale of a property by your company has sparked significant criticism. Can you clarify the nature of this transaction and why you believe it was conducted without bias?
**Mayor Ramharter**: Thank you for having me. The transaction in question involved the sale of land that my holding company acquired in 2021, which we sold over two years to a building contractor. Throughout this process, I’ve prioritized compliance with legal requirements and ensured transparency at every step. I genuinely see no bias on my part.
**Interviewer**: Several critics, including representatives from the Mauthausen Memorial, have expressed concerns about the historical importance of this land. What is your response to those who believe the construction plans are disrespectful to the history of the site?
**Mayor Ramharter**: I understand the sensitivities around this issue, and I have been in contact with the Mauthausen Memorial and the Federal Monuments Office to address these concerns. It’s important to note that the foundations of the structures from the past are not under monument protection. We conducted thorough ground radar surveys to ensure that we treated the land with the necessary respect.
**Interviewer**: Some local leaders are calling this development an “unbearable forgetfulness of history.” How do you reconcile economic development with the responsibility towards historical remembrances?
**Mayor Ramharter**: I believe it’s possible to balance development with historical sensitivity. We’ve committed not to build basements, allowing us to preserve what remains of the site’s history. Development does not have to mean forgetting our past; rather, it can offer an opportunity to engage in dialogue about how we remember history while also meeting current economic needs.
**Interviewer**: Opponents are also raising concerns about the potential conflicts of interest regarding your role as mayor and your involvement in real estate. How do you address these allegations?
**Mayor Ramharter**: I appreciate the concerns raised, but I assure you that all decisions have been made transparently and within legal parameters. I believe there should be clarity in how local governance operates, and I am committed to ensuring that our practices remain fair and aboveboard.
**Interviewer**: With local elections approaching, do you anticipate any changes in public opinion regarding your leadership?
**Mayor Ramharter**: I welcome the opportunity for voters to voice their opinions. My goal has always been to serve the community of Leobersdorf to the best of my ability, and if there are concerns, I’m open to discussions. I believe that the majority of citizens understand the complexities of the situation and that we handled the deal with integrity.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Mayor Ramharter, for sharing your perspective on this important issue.
**Mayor Ramharter**: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to have such discussions as we navigate these challenging but necessary conversations.
