Better land use to support local jobs and economic growth in the Scenic Rim

As part of the Palaszczuk Government’s Advancing Our Cities and Regions Strategy to increase economic activity and promote more local job opportunities, underutilised land once earmarked for the former Glendower Dam site will be returned to the Beaudesert community to stimulate economic growth and generate jobs.

Acting Premier Curtis Pitt today announced that the Queensland Government is working with the Scenic Rim Regional Council, local community groups and agricultural and residential tenants to ensure the 2600 hectares of land is put to best use and to deliver community benefits.

“The parcel of land was originally acquired between 1991 and 2005 by the South East Queensland Water Board — now Seqwater —for the proposed Glendower Dam,” Mr Pitt said.

“But after extensive investigations by Queensland’s independent Coordinator-General, the dam proposal was ultimately deemed unviable because it was uneconomic including high construction costs and more significantly the site offered low potential water yields.

“Instead the Wyaralong Dam was constructed and completed in 2011 and now provides water storage for the region and has become a major tourist attraction for the scenic rim.

“The Palaszczuk Government is returning this land to local hands through our Advancing Our Cities and Regions Strategy and the government has commenced consultation with the Scenic Rim Regional Council and the existing key stakeholders including lessees and tenants regarding their needs and the best use of the land including future requirements for the Beaudesert township.

“The initiative is part of our economic plan to drive more inclusive growth and jobs, so far we have seen 115,400 net new jobs created in the state since the last election in January 2015,” Mr Pitt said.

He said while ABS figures showed jobs growth in the Logan and Beaudesert area in the past 12 months – with 14,000 net new jobs in the year to August 2017 or a 10.6% increase in 12 months we want to work with local communities to deliver more job opportunities at a local level.

“In addition we have seen the region’s unemployment rate fall since the last state election from 8.4% to 6.3% and the youth unemployment rate drop from 16.8% to 14.2%,” he said.

Minister for State Development, Dr Anthony Lynham, said the Advancing our Cities and Regions Strategy had been designed to renew and repurpose surplus and underutilised state property to deliver better community outcomes, create jobs and create new economic develop opportunities. “The strategy will see new development in and around Beaudesert that will help boost future business opportunities and new jobs in the region,” Dr Lynham said.

“The Glendower land is a great opportunity to generate jobs and support local economic growth.

“It will be sold through a managed process so it can be used to benefit the community and support long-term planning and community development opportunities.

“Sales negotiations are currently being finalised with Scenic Rim Regional Council and Motorcycling Queensland, who currently use part of this site.

“Other land surplus to the Council’s needs will be on sale by the end of the year and priority will be given to tenants who have occupied the property for five years or more,” Dr Lynham said.

A prime example of the type of new economic activity to be kick-started by the Advancing Our Cities and Regions Strategy is the plan by current owners of land adjoining the 2,600 hectare parcel, Euan and Kaye Murdoch.

The Murdoch’s operate a state-of-the-art cattle improvement business from their 3,000-hectar property Nindooinbah, adjoining the former Glendower Dam properties.

The Murdochs are hoping to acquire some of the former Glendower Dam properties to establish a tropical and sub-tropical cattle improvement institute linked to the University of Queensland and CSIRO that will increase productivity and profitability for dairy and beef cattle through the application and development of new technologies.

Media contacts: Treasurer’s Office: Lindsay Marshall 0447 316 432 | Minister Lynham’s Office: David Potter 0428 411 617