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. “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.
What measures is Mayor Andreas Ramharter implementing to ensure that historical sites are respected during the development process in Leobersdorf?
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Mayor Ramharter. Thank you for joining us today. There has been significant backlash regarding the construction plans on the site of the former Hirtenberg concentration camp subcamp. Can you clarify the rationale behind these developments?
**Mayor Ramharter:** Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. The area in question has a long history of being designated as an operating zone. Our intention is not to forget this history, but rather to adapt the land for contemporary use while recognizing its past. We believe it is possible to balance historical remembrance with economic progress.
**Interviewer:** Critics, including SPÖ spokeswoman Sabine Schatz, have described these plans as an “unbearable forgetfulness of history.” How do you respond to this claim?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I understand the concerns raised by many. However, we have taken steps to ensure that historical remnants are respected. Ground radar surveys and exploratory digs were conducted to analyse the area. We agreed not to construct basements, which preserves the foundations of the barracks. Our discussions with the Federal Monuments Office showed that there is no legal obligation to designate the site as a monument given its current status.
**Interviewer:** There are accusations of potential conflicts of interest relating to your involvement in property development. How do you address these concerns?
**Mayor Ramharter:** It’s crucial to clarify that all decisions made were in compliance with the legal requirements. We’ve been transparent about our processes and actively pursued necessary rezonings to ensure that community interests are respected. I firmly reject the notion of bias—each step has been taken with integrity.
**Interviewer:** Many local leaders are calling for stricter planning controls to prevent profit-driven decisions in historically sensitive areas. What are your thoughts on this?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I appreciate the input from all political groups. Municipal governance is always an evolving process, and we must continually assess our planning mechanisms. Engagement and dialog are essential, and I am willing to work collaboratively to ensure that our historical sites are honored, while also recognizing the need for economic development.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, as local council elections approach in 2025, do you foresee any changes in public sentiment toward your administration’s handling of this issue?
**Mayor Ramharter:** Elections are a natural part of democracy. I believe in good governance, and I am committed to serving the people of Leobersdorf with integrity. As we move forward, I hope to engage more with the community to address their concerns and promote understanding of our decisions.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mayor Ramharter, for your insights. We look forward to seeing how this situation unfolds.
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for having me.