Mary Valley campaign grows

The Newman Government’s strategy to revitalise the Mary Valley has notched up a gear with momentum gathering for The Event auction on 31 August.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said 12 predominantly rural and rural residential properties ranging in size from 2ha to 123ha would go under the hammer at The Event at the Gympie RSL.

"Three local agents — Bambling Rural, Landmark Harcourts (Gympie) and The Professionals (Gympie) — will each auction four properties,” Mr Seeney said.

“Judging by the interest shown in previous auctions, there should be keen bidding for the 12 properties.

“In the coming week, potential buyers will be able to take a virtual tour of the properties by following the links on www.maryvalleyproperty.com. 

“More than 40 properties have already been returned to private ownership through the open market via tenders, open listings and highly successful auctions.

“And there’s sure to be added interest in The Event following the launch of the Grow with the Mary Valley marketing campaign which is promoting the excellent opportunities for agricultural, tourism and associated industries.

“We’re getting the message out far and wide that the Mary Valley is ripe for agribusiness and economic development opportunities, as well as reinforcing the fact that it is a desirable place to live and do business.

“Advertisements are running in newspapers and targeted industry publications, and in coming months, billboards will be erected on the Bruce Highway around Gympie.

“The Grow with the Mary Valley campaign, which will include a revamped website, is part of our economic development strategy to return approximately 13,000 hectares of government-owned land to private ownership.

“Key to this is bringing agricultural and horticultural land back to full production and encouraging investment and employment across the region.

“We’re taking an unprecedented whole-of-government approach and working with other agencies to ensure industry can develop in the region and a renewed sense of community flourishes.

“By offering flexible commercial terms, such as development leases of up to 24 months, the government is helping businesses establish and thrive.

“Our strategy is working — more than 170 different businesses having expressed interest in the economic development program.

“Four significant development leases, covering 510 hectares and creating the potential for more than 50 jobs, have been signed, with more expected shortly as the word spreads that the Mary Valley is well and truly open for business.”

The Event auction will be held on Saturday 31 August from 10:30am to 2:30pm at the Gympie RSL, Mary Street, Gympie.

To view the properties, and to find out more about purchasing land or agricultural or other business opportunities in the region, visit www.maryvalleyproperty.com or contact the Mary Valley Economic Development Team on 13 GOV (13 74 68).

Properties to be auctioned at The Event

Bambling Rural
687 Coles Creek Road, Coles Creek 74.4ha
2433 Bruce Highway, Coles Creek 37.61ha with dwelling
568 Coles Creek Road, Cooran 41.65ha with dwelling
830 Coles Creek Road, Coles Creek 2ha with dwelling

The Professionals
388 Kandanga Creek Road, Kandanga 8.09ha with dwelling
Lot 2 Bergins Pocket Road, Kandanga 30.65
172 Ironstone Creek Road, Tuchekoi 102.5ha
245-437 Newspaper Hill Road, Belli Park 123.53ha with dwelling

Landmark Harcourts
45 Frayne Road, Amamoor 7.85ha with dwelling
Lot 11 Summerville Road, Kandanga 58.51ha with dwelling
80 Traveston Crossing Road, Kybong 38.06ha
199 Melawondi Road, Melawondi 38.06ha with dwelling

[ENDS] 26 July 2013

Media contact:  John Wiseman 0409 791 281 or Kate Haddan 0418 373 516