INNOVATIVE QUEENSLAND LAND LAWS BEGIN ON JANUARY 1

December 30, 2007

Farmers and graziers who lease State land will get longer leases if they improve the condition of their land under changes to Queensland’s land laws that come into effect on January 1.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said the innovative environment-focussed changes would affect nearly 65% of Queensland’s land.

Leaseholders will be able to get 30, 40 and 50-year leases compared with the current maximum of 30 years.

The Delbessie Agreement, signed by Premier Anna Bligh and Craig Wallace on December 3, will make Queensland a leader in caring for land.

“The changes will help protect the economic viability of Bush communities by providing more secure tenure for agriculture and grazing,” Mr Wallace said.

“The strategy also rewards leaseholders who protect the natural resources and environmental values critical to their land’s long-term viability,” he said.

When renewing a lease, 40-year terms will be granted if lessees keep or returned their land to good condition.

Fifty-year terms will be offered to lessees who also conserve high-value environmental areas and reach access agreements with local indigenous people.

Other changes to land law for 2008 include:

·Local councils will have more flexibility to use reserve land for a wide range of community purposes;

·Provisions for stakeholders to make submissions on land valuations; and

·A change of purpose for reserve land in indigenous communities will allow reserves to be used for government services such as schools, housing and health.

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