BROMELTON STATE DEVELOPMENT AREA PROPOSED: BLIGH

Premier Anna Bligh and Deputy Premier Paul Lucas today announced that Bromelton in Beaudesert Shire has been proposed by the Coordinator-General as a State Development Area.

“The move allows the State Government to acquire a 50-year land bank for industrial purposes, and provide for the orderly development of industry,” said the Premier.

“The potential with this is thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of investment.

“One potential investor believes one 700 hectare-site could be; worth $780 million, deliver 5500 direct jobs, with as many an additional 12,000 flow-on jobs to the region.

“If it were to proceed they believe they have four tenants ready to move now.”

The proposed State Development Area ‘boundary’ covers a significant geographic area; from Kagaru in the north and almost to Laravale in the south. The ‘boundary’ also runs almost as far east as Beaudesert and out to Allanvale in the west.

Mr Lucas said: “Bromelton’s strategic industrial location values has undoubtedly played a key role in today’s announcement.

“Just this week, the local mayor and several of the councillors indicated to me that they supported Bromelton becoming a State Development Area.

“Bromelton could potentially become a location for a future road and rail freight terminal.

“It is the only future strategic industrial land available on the current national standard gauge rail line.

“This would alleviate pressure on the reduced capacity of the Acacia Ridge terminal, and would generate employment for surrounding residential communities.

“Large-scale industries requiring access to the national rail system, as well as some high impact industries requiring separation from residential areas, could also be located within this proposed State Development Area, subject to further investigations.”

Declaring Bromelton as a proposed State Development Area would ensure a higher level of planning can take place for industry location, to maximise the strategic advantage of the land and ensure industry is well-located.

A three-week public consultation and exhibition process will start in October, to allow the government to consult with the community within the proposed State Development Area.

Mr Lucas added: “I would invite all members of the community, and other interested stakeholders, to give the Government their feedback and comments, all of which will be considered before the final decision is taken.”

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