Greens are calling for a ban on development on historically contaminated properties

The latest developments in Leobersdorf clearly show the consequences of a lack of green control in the local council. “What we are witnessing here is a shocking example of how historically sensitive land is treated when economic interests take priority“, criticizes Helga Krismer, club leader of the Lower Austrian Green Party.

Criticism of surface sealing

Over the past three decades, Leobersdorf has been systematically repurposed and filled with concrete. “The construction of industrial parks on historically contaminated land is another example of the worrying development of spatial planning in Lower Austria. What is particularly worrying is that people in the mayor’s environment continue to profit from this development,” says Helga Krismer.

Background information

According to current media reports, the Leobersdorf mayor’s real estate company has sold a property on which a former concentration camp subcamp was located for 15.25 million euros to a building contractor who wants to build commercial halls there. Through two subsequent rededications in the local council, which the mayor himself also approved, his company received an additional 1.34 million euros, while interventions by the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial Center and local historians for a memorial were ignored.

Legislative initiative by the Greens in Lower Austria

In response to this development, the Green Club chairwoman is preparing an application to amend the Lower Austrian Spatial Planning Act. “We will be submitting a proposal to the state parliament next week that provides for a clear ban on building on historically contaminated properties. It is high time that we place these sensitive areas under special protection,” explains Krismer.

Demand for more transparency

The Greens are therefore calling for a fundamental realignment of spatial planning policy in Lower Austria. We need binding protective measures for historically sensitive areas. Such incidents would not have been possible with Green participation in the local council. We stand for responsible politics that respects our historical heritage,” affirms club chairwoman Helga Krismer.