Ombudswoman Gaby Schwarz in the ORF programme "Bürgeranwalt": "Grassland is and remains grassland!"

The ORF programme "Bürgeranwalt" from 4 January 2025 was about a green belt used as a storage area. For months, a couple from Amstetten were exposed to the noise, dust and earthworks from the operational use of the grassland in their home. The couple filed a complaint with the municipality, but no action was taken.

The storage area is compatible with the dedication for temporary use, it says. "This provision does not exist. Grassland is and remains grassland. I can't believe that the building authorities see any compatibility when heavy containers are placed in grassland, backfill is created and pieces of asphalt are stored. A green belt is definitely not a storage area," criticises Ombudswoman Gaby Schwarz, who is calling on the authority to issue usage bans immediately. "It would also be appropriate for the municipality to apologise to the couple concerned for not intervening immediately," appeals the Ombudswoman.

Inquiry: Demolition order for a holiday home

"Inquiries" were made as to what happened with the demolition order for a holiday home built on a plot of land first leased and pegged out by the municipality itself. However, the family has now received a demolition order for the 50-year-old house because the property boundaries were allegedly not adhered to. "The owners took legal action and were successful. The Provincial Administrative Court ruled that it was not clear on what basis the authority had come to the conclusion that the boundary had been overbuilt. After all, the authority itself assumed until 2020 that the house had been built correctly."


Translation was AI-generated

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