SP finds crooked optics – local boss in crossfire of criticism because of dedications

Mayor Gerhard Holzner (ÖVP) of Ostermiethinger has been caught in the crossfire of criticism. As reported, he is said to have put the conversion of approximately 9,000 square meters of green space into building land in a rather questionable condition. The property owner, a real estate company from Hallein, would have had to donate half of the surface area to the community to meet the criteria for repurposing.

It is not uncommon for communities to agree on a ‘Fifty-Fifty’ model with commitment applicants, and this is also legislated. One condition, however, is a fair sales price for half; donations are absolutely taboo. And social or subsidized housing must be built.

The landowner is on the building committee
The real estate developer Hallein does not rule out the possibility that the municipality does not want the repurposing and is therefore imposing unacceptable requirements. The local boss’s family is said to own about 28,000 square meters of building land worth about six million euros. “No commitment for me – that could increase the purchase price of your property,” said the Hallein resident. The fact that one of the property owners is on the building committee reinforces the distorted view.

SP demands full transparency
SPÖ regional manager Florian Koppler also sees this: “The mayor and the ÖVP are now obliged to make the events public. The public deserves transparency and assurance that there has been no favoritism towards the mayor’s family environment. In concrete terms, the state supervisory authority must look carefully at the extent to which family members may have been given priority at the dedications.”