The Ombudswoman also describes the reasons given by the municipality as "absurd and incomprehensible": "First of all, it was claimed that it was a private road. That is not the case. It is a public municipal road. Finally, the municipality argued that the entire asphalt would have to be renewed to lay the pipeline, which would be cost-prohibitive. For me, these are dubious excuses, especially as it was perfectly possible to dig up only the verge in the side road for the installation and not the entire road. It is only a matter of 50 metres, which would have to be extended to Mr R.'s property. I appeal to the municipality and the development company to re-examine this case and to honour what was promised."
Criticism of questionable reallocations continues
The Austrian Ombudsman Board has been dealing with the complaint of a neighbour in Offenhausen, Upper Austria, for seven years. This is because a timber company was built behind her property on former grassland under questionable conditions. Some of the buildings did not comply with the applicable zoning plan. The Ombudsman criticised the fact that unlawfully erected buildings were legalised through subsequent rezoning.
Ombudswoman Gaby Schwarz has now reported on the status quo: "At the end of 2025, the Office of the Provincial Government confirmed the Ombudsman's criticism. The market town then drew up a new zoning plan, which was, however, prohibited by the supervisory authority. The market town lodged an appeal against this decision with the provincial administrative court. The outcome remains to be seen. We are staying on top of the matter."
"If the municipality promises fibre-optic connections for everyone, it has to deliver," says Ombudswoman Gaby Schwarz.