The Austrian Federal Forests (ÖBf) have acquired a 7,300-square-meter area in Schörfling am Attersee (Vöcklabruck district) from the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) to establish a public bathing and recreation area with lake access. The supervisory board of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG approved this decision on Wednesday. Additionally, an adjacent 6,700-square-meter plot will be leased for the project.

Plans for the former Kammer-Schörfling railway station site include a beach volleyball court, playground, sanitary facilities, and a kiosk. The new owners aim to convert gravel surfaces into green areas and transform the hardened shoreline into gently sloping shallow water zones. Construction is set to begin as soon as possible.

Limited Public Access

Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP), representing the Federal Forests, stated, “I am convinced that these additional bathing and recreational areas will not only enhance the appeal of Attersee but also positively impact the entire region.” Upper Austrian Governor Thomas Stelzer (ÖVP) echoed these sentiments, expressing satisfaction that the long-demanded project is finally moving forward.

The Greens had previously criticized the lack of public access to the lake, noting that only 13% of Attersee’s shoreline is accessible to the public, with 75% in private hands. Green Party official Stefan Kaineder emphasized the importance of this new public access, stating, “Attersee should not become the private swimming pool of the super-rich. Opening this property in Schörfling is a significant step towards more public lake access in Upper Austria.”

Largest Lake Manager

The Austrian Federation of Trade Unions (ÖGB) had also shown interest in the area, sparking parliamentary debates led by SPÖ representatives, as reported by Oberösterreichische Nachrichten in July. The purchase price was ultimately determined based on an expert assessment.

The Ministries of Agriculture and Climate Protection and Federal Forests are committed to enhancing and expanding existing recreational opportunities. According to the Federal Forests, they manage 74 of Austria’s larger lakes, including famous bathing lakes like Attersee, Traunsee, Millstätter See, and Wörthersee. However, the ÖBf primarily owns lakebeds, with only a few large lakeshore properties.