Land sales revitalising Mary Valley

The Queensland Government expects to finalise the sale of government-owned land in the Mary Valley in coming months.

Minister for State Development Dr Anthony Lynham said the sale of 863 ha Bollier Park for more than its listed price of $8 million left just one parcel remaining of the 13,000ha bought by Queensland Water Infrastructure between 2006 and 2009.

“Completing the sale of these surplus Mary Valley properties provides opportunities for economic growth and jobs through private investment,” Dr Lynham said.

“It also creates community benefit by generating revenue for government to reinvest into new infrastructure and services for Queenslanders.

“Late last year, before taking the final 11 Mary Valley properties available for sale to the open market, we commissioned a detailed economic uplift assessment.

“The report recommended that the land be returned to private ownership as soon as possible to enable the private sector to invest in the land as they deem most appropriate, and that is exactly what we have done,” Dr Lynham said.

In May this year, those remaining 11 Mary Valley properties were released to market, with as many as 270 interested parties inspecting the properties throughout the four and half week marketing campaign.

“This was a fantastic response which has resulted in only one of the 11 properties yet to go under contract.

“Earlier this year we also transferred 119ha of farming land on the Mary River to the Department of Education for agricultural training delivery through the Noosa District High School,” Dr Lynham said.

ENDS     22 July

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