First lease granted under new state land laws

A North Queensland grazing family is the first to take advantage of another Bligh Government initiative that works with landholders and encourages good land management practices.

Their lease has been renewed under the Delbessie Agreement, which provides practical policies and guidelines for the sustainable use, protection and rehabilitation of rural leasehold land and in return longer leases are granted by the government.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson announced at Parliament House today the lease was granted to the Marsterson family over Craig’s Pocket, a property 200km north-west of Townsville.

“The granting of the first lease is a major milestone in the implementation of the Delbessie Agreement,” Mr Robertson said.

“The Delbessie Agreement covers about 86.7 million hectares, or half of Queensland.

“There are a significant number of landholders that can sign up to this agreement and improve our environment while also benefitting from extended leases.

“This is another example of the Bligh Government developing innovative plans that benefit both landholders and the environment.

“It reflects the Bligh Government’s commitment to making and keeping rural communities sustainable, as part of the Blueprint for the Bush initiative.”

The Marsterson family has operated Craig’s Pocket, a 22,000 hectare cattle-grazing property for the past 16 years.

“As a result of the good condition of the land, the Marstersons were granted a 40 year lease term instead the standard 30 year term,” Mr Robertson said.

“I would like to congratulate the Marsterson family on this achievement.”

As part of the lease renewal process, Craig’s Pocket underwent a rigorous science-based land condition assessment which established that the land was in good condition based on pasture, soil and biodiversity attributes.

Mr Robertson said the lease on the Craig’s Pocket property also had the distinction of having Queensland’s first land management agreement, a vital part of the Delbessie Agreement.

A land management agreement is negotiated with the lessee and government, and provides for realistic and sustainable land management practices taking into account the individual features of the property.

“I would also like to thank the Marstersons for their willingness to engage closely with departmental officers and for providing their extensive knowledge so that it could be recorded in a land management agreement, which will also benefit future lessees,” he said.

For Craig’s Pocket, the land management agreement recognises that it contains a Nature Refuge of 3565 hectares, an area of land with significant conservation values which the lessees have voluntarily agreed to protect while pursuing compatible and sustainable land use practices.

“Craig’s Pocket is an excellent example where a lessee has achieved a balance between protecting the environment and running a viable agricultural enterprise,” Mr Robertson said.

“We would like to promote this approach to all of our leaseholders.”

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