QUEENSLAND RURAL LEASEHOLD LAND ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTED

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace today announced a new stakeholder committee to advise the Queensland Government on rural leasehold land management and implementation of the Delbessie Agreement.

Mr Wallace said membership of the State Rural Leasehold Land Ministerial Advisory had been approved today by Governor-in-Council and was a key step in implementing the historic agreement.

“This committee will provide the government with independent, expertise-based advice on the land condition assessment guidelines and other Delbessie implementation matters,” he said.

“Once the guidelines have been agreed to, on-ground assessment of rural leasehold land can take place and land management agreements can be prepared.

“This forms part of the new application process for both new and renewed leases affected by the Delbessie Agreement.”

Mr Wallace said the Delbessie Agreement is a new framework for securing the productive and environmental future of state rural leasehold land that came into effect on 1 January this year.

“The agreement is a key initiative of the Blueprint for the Bush.

“It’s all about the long-term sustainable management of Queensland’s rural lands and giving landholders the certainty they need over the future of their enterprises.”

Mr Wallace said he was delighted with the calibre of the committee members.

“The members have a wide range of expertise and experience in areas such as rural industry, natural resource management, agricultural science, public policy, native title, cultural heritage, and environmental science,” he said.

The committee comprises:

Kenneth Drysdale - Chair. A former president of the United Graziers Association of Queensland; Augathella grazier and businessman with 19 years experience as a professional director. Chairman of Seymour Whyte Holdings Pty Ltd.

Leith Boully (Natural resource management). Dirranbandi-based director of Boully Pastoral Company Pty Ltd and member of many natural resource management research boards and committees.

Malcolm Collinge (Indigenous land management.) Bundaberg-based director or member of a number of indigenous natural resource management groups. Director of the Burnett Mary Regional Group for Natural Resource Management.

Anthony John Pressland (Agricultural Science). A wealth of experience in research and land management, having worked in several roles in the Department of Primary Industries and Natural Resources and Water. He is an independent consultant in the areas of natural resource management.

Laurel Johnson (Social Science). Has years of experience as a consultant for urban, regional and community planning.

Andrew Freeman (Industry technical advisor). Deputy chief executive of AgForce Queensland with extensive experience in policy across a range of natural resource issues.

Des Boyland. (environmental land management). Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland manager with extensive experience in ecology, biodiversity and rangeland management.

Greg Coonan (NRW technical advisor) Acting general manager for Land Management and Use, Department of Natural Resources and Water.

Peter MacDonald (EPA technical advisor). Acting director of natural resources strategy and policy division, Environmental Protection Agency.

Malcolm Martin (Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries technical advisor). He is manager of integrated regional planning for south region at DPI&F.

Dr Martin Taylor (Nature Conservation advisor). Currently Protected Areas Policy Manager for WWF Australia, conservation biologist and environmental science and ecology expert.

The advisory committee will meet at the earliest practical opportunity.

MEDIA: Paul Lynch 3896 3689