1st March 2007The tricky problem of adjusting Queensland leasehold land rents to meet soaring property values could be resolved by the end of the month.
Ahead of a meeting with AgForce on Wednesday afternoon, State Natural Resources and Water Minister, Craig Wallace, forecast a reform package would be announced during March.
The issue was brought to a head following Monday’s release by the Department of Natural Resources and Water (NRW) of the latest property valuations for 38 of the state’s 124 local government areas.
Rural land values soared by as much as 250pc.
“Detailed talks on reforming the rental system are taking place between the Queensland Government and our Blueprint for the Bush partners, AgForce,” Mr Wallace said.
“I am committed to continuing to work with AgForce in the resolution of this priority issue.”
Mr Wallace has set a tight timetable for resolving the issue, which has been on the table since 2004, in order to have the problem solved before annual leasehold rents are next calculated in July.
While welcoming the new phase of negotiations, AgForce vice president John Cotter said a new system was needed to gradually implement the property value increases of recent years in order to avoid large, one-off hikes in leasehold rent.
SOURCE: Extract from full story in the March 1 issue of Queensland Country Life.
