MOUNT ISA STATE LAND EVALUATION PROJECT UNDERWAY

The Queensland Government is assessing unallocated state land and reserves in Mount Isa in a bid to help ease the housing shortage in the booming mining city.

Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace and Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said the survey would determine the most appropriate future use for each parcel of State land.

Mr Wallace said an unprecedented mineral resource boom and a rapidly increasing population had highlighted the need to make more land available for urban, community and infrastructure purposes.

He said each piece of land would be assessed on its attributes, its current use, and the assessment takes into account council and public wishes.

“A steering committee, including staff from the department and the Mount Isa City Council, has started the, project which includes the identification of all unallocated State land and reserves in the area,” Mr Wallace said.

"This will be followed by preliminary site inspections of the subject parcels of land.

"As the project progresses, the committee will engage with all relevant stakeholders including the Department of State Development, the Department of Local Government and Planning, and a range of local community and cultural groups.

"The committee will also take the opportunity to explore community initiatives for Queensland’s 150-year celebration, as well as the future use and management of the LeichhardtRiver."

Ms Kiernan said the planning assessment would provide certainty to MountIsa residents about their city's social, environmental, economic and cultural future.

”In the midst of the current boom we are enjoying in the mining industry, the Queensland Government is doing all it can to encourage or entice further exploration to maximise benefits to the region,” Ms Kiernan said.

"The need for land in the locality is obvious, particularly in light of the Government’s Northern Economic Triangle initiative, which recognises the importance of MountIsa to the future growth of the region," she said.

"By freeing up land we can ensure space for critical infrastructure that will underpin private sector investment and industrial development for the next 50 years."

Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.