BEATTIE GOVERNMENT HELPING EASE CLERMONT HOUSING PRESSURES

The Beattie Government is freeing up land to meet increased demand for housing in Clermont, Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace announced today.

Five applications made to the Department of Natural Resources could result in more than 200 housing allotments being developed in the Central Highlands town.

In January, Rio Tinto Coal Australia announced a new mine would be constructed in Clermont to eventually replace the Blair Athol Mine, which is scheduled to wind up by 2012.

The new mine aims to employ almost 800 people during its construction and operations.

Mr Wallace said the Department had received four applications from Belyando Shire Council for the release of land; two parcels of unallocated state land and two of reserve land. Rio Tinto had also applied for a parcel of land, he said.

“The department is working with Rio Tinto and Belyando Shire Council to release land which could result in the development of 208 housing allotments in Clermont,” Mr Wallace said.

“The department has already made offers to council on two parcels of unallocated state land and Belyando Shire Council has agreed to proceed with the purchase of that land.

“These two parcels of land alone offered to council could result in some 167 housing allotments being established.”

Mr Wallace said the other two parcels of land remained subject to approval following a public consultation process, as they had already been dedicated as reserves for public purposes.

“If the consultation process finds there is no further public use for the land then a formal offer would be made to council.”

NRW has also made an offer to Rio Tinto Coal Australia regarding a 4.8 hectare site in Clermont which could allow for the development of some 33 housing allotments.

Mr Wallace said he was very aware of the need for land in the state’s booming mining towns.

“The unprecedented resources boom and a rapidly increasing population have highlighted the need to make more land available for urban, community and infrastructure purposes,” Mr Wallace said.

“This latest development is just one of the Queensland Government’s measures to help ease the housing shortage.”

Late last year, the Department and Duaringa Shire Council developed a program to release 73 freehold residential allotments in the Central Queensland coal mining town of Blackwater.

In March this year, the Government announced it had started an assessment of unallocated state land and reserves in the MountIsa local government area, to determine the most appropriate future use for each land parcel.

Belyando Shire Council chief executive officer John Torpy said if council could put land on the market it would give people the opportunity to build or buy something in Clermont.

“Hopefully we can develop the lots once we acquire the land,” Mr Torpy said.

“I realise it could take time to build houses on the land, but at least there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

“Housing prices and rent have risen substantially with development in the town, which is precisely what has happened in Moranbah.

“Hopefully council’s actions in developing land will stop Clermont from losing workers due to an accommodation shortage.”

Media inquiries: Caroline Kaurila, Craig Wallace’s office, on 3896 3694 or 0414 213 954.