BLIGH GOVERNMENT BEGINS STATEWIDE HUNT FOR NEW HOUSING, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL LAND

The Bligh Government will review the use of up to 20,000 parcels of unallocated state land throughout Queensland to identify land suitable for new housing, commercial, industrial and environmental purposes.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said the government would look at around 1.3 million hectares of vacant land, with priority given to large land parcels close to urban centres. .

The study is already looking at new uses for state land in booming regional communities such as Townsville, Bowen, Gladstone and Mt Isa, particularly land for housing.

“The Bligh Government is planning for Queensland’s future,” Mr Wallace said.

“We are looking over the horizon to ensure we have sufficient land for our rapidly growing state and population,” he said.

“At the same time, we will examine the land’s social, cultural and environmental values – and consult with local communities about their wishes.

“The study will also look at land that can be provided for environmental and recreational uses.”

Mr Wallace said the need to find more land was urgent in booming regional centres, particularly for housing.

“The Bligh Government cannot control housing interest rates or building costs, but we can help people by identifying new housing land,” he said.

Land studies have been completed or have commenced in the following centres:

Townsville:

Around 270 hectares of land at Bohle - with the potential to provide an estimated 3000 housing lots - will be made available for the housing market. The land will be offered to developers to sell in the near future. Up to 2000 hectares of land at Bohle could eventually be used for housing and other community infrastructure. The government is also looking at using Bohle land for a multi-recreational centre, including a motor sport facility, and for a new cemetery for Townsville.

Bowen:

A study of vacant state land has begun in Bowen to identify land that could be used for new community purposes, especially housing. The review will look at 116 parcels of State land - covering 1548 hectares – east of the Don River and immediately south of the Cheetham Salt Works. The area includes land in and around Cape Edgecumbe, Flagstaff Hill, Dalrymple Point and the Bowen township. The study will also look at land for industrial, community and transport uses.

Gladstone:

A study of vacant land just south of Gladstone has identified land around the towns of Tannum Sands and Boyne Island that could be suitable for housing. Also other land will be dedicated as reserves to ensure that environmental and ecological values are protected.

Mt Isa:

A study is looking at 200 parcels of unallocated state land and 138 reserves in Mt Isa City. The study is looking at land for housing, industry, sports and recreation. The study began in response to an emerging shortage of suitable space for new residential land due to the mineral resource boom and an increasing population.

Mr Wallace said that unallocated state land is found all around the State, however, the government will be concentrating on larger areas of state land near urban centres.

Where necessary, this work will include the resolution of native title claims.

Mr Wallace said any unallocated state land identified for urban development would be released in an orderly way to supplement private sector developments in satisfying the demand for housing land.

The final development of released state land will be subject to the development assessment processes provided under the Integrated Planning Act, including appropriate community consultation.

Mr Wallace said the review of unallocated state land was in addition to work by the Bligh Government’s Urban Land Development Authority, which is working on a number of major urban development areas including Bowen Hills, Hamilton North Shore, Fitzgibbon and Woolloongabba.

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