At Stammersdorf cemetery in Vienna's 21st district, paths made of exposed aggregate concrete slabs were removed to promote biodiversity. The soil was compacted without being stabilised, which means that access to the graves is no longer barrier-free. Especially after rainfall, the gravesite can no longer be visited by friends of the deceased with a rollator or wheelchair. With this complaint, Mr S. turned to the Austrian Ombudsman Board, which examined this case and dealt with it in the ORF programme Bürgeranwalt.
Ombudswoman Gaby Schwarz refers to the Vienna Anti-Discrimination Act and the Burial of Corpses Act: "Both laws state that people must be able to reach the burial sites without assistance. This is not possible in this case. The paths have been removed and the compaction of the soil has not worked. Accessibility must not be sacrificed for biodiversity. I appeal to the City of Vienna and Friedhöfe Wien GmbH to find a solution that fulfils both requirements."
Conversion site sold: Municipality moves after Ombudsman's appeal
The former haulage contractor Karl K. turned to the Austrian Ombudsman Board after the municipality of Uttendorf sold a turnaround area to a neighbour, even though he had contributed to the costs of creating it. Without a turnaround area, access to and from his property is also more difficult, which leads to a reduction in value.
In April 2025, Ombudswoman Gaby Schwarz criticised the fact that the municipality had failed to comply with agreements regarding the sale. In the meantime, the municipality of Uttendorf has offered to repay Mr K. his share of the development costs. "It's good that the municipality is moving. It is obviously not possible to reverse the sale or grant Mr K. a right of way. Mr K. must now decide whether to accept the offer or sue in court for a reduction in the value of his property as a result of the sale of the reversal site. It was important to us that the municipality enters into talks to find an appropriate solution," explains the Ombudswoman.
"It is stipulated by law that people must be able to reach the gravesites without assistance," says Ombudswoman Gaby Schwarz.