April 1, 2014
Deputy Premier and Member for Callide Jeff Seeney has reminded South Burnett residents that the State Government is seeking submissions from the community on changes to leasehold land regulations.
“The Queensland Government has delivered the most substantial land reform measures in a generation – reforms that will improve lease security for landholders,” Mr Seeney said today.
“The State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee is currently considering the Bill and is seeking submissions from the community.
“I encourage all leasehold landowners to pick up a pen and write a simple, short letter or email to the committee, particularly graziers with forestry leases.
“It is important for graziers who will benefit from this reform to explain their position to the parliamentary committee.”
Submissions about the legislation close at 4:00pm on Friday (April 4).
They can be emailed or posted to: The Research Director, State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee, Parliament House, George Street, Brisbane, Qld, 4000.
The Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 was introduced to Parliament recently by Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps after consultation with farm groups, landholders and regional members.
“The changes deliver what primary producers have been crying out for: security of tenure,” Mr Seeney said.
“All term leases will become rolling leases and there is now a framework for converting leasehold land to freehold.
“Our next goal is to consider changes to rural land rates and provide affordable options to upgrade existing leases to freehold.”
Mr Seeney said forestry leases were important to Queensland graziers and were important to the economy of regional Queensland.
There are currently 797 forestry leases of more than 100ha in size issued under the Land Act 1994, covering a total area of 2,535,552.281 ha.
“Under this new Bill, forestry leases issued under the Land Act 1994 will become rolling leases, just like all other term leases,” Mr Seeney said.
He said public hearings may also be held on the Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2014.
“The committee will communicate a potential timetable as soon as possible after submissions close this week,” Mr Seeney said.
The committee will provide its report to Parliament by May 13.
More information about the leasehold land reforms are available online
