Property

Workshops to focus on QLD freeholding and rural property values

Beef Central, 08/05/2017

NORTH and North West Queensland primary producers wanting to know more about freeholding their properties and the impact of new land valuations are encouraged to attend free workshops in Charters Towers, Hughenden and Cloncurry next week.

AgForce Land valuer John Moore

AgForce Land valuer John Moore

AgForce rural property valuer John Moore said a new freeholding system for rural landholders effectively reduced the amount payable by perpetual lessees by up to 80 per cent, but many landholders were yet to make the most of this opportunity.

“Changes to the Land Act introduced by the previous State Government in 2014 were among the most significant land reforms in a generation making it simpler and easier to renew agricultural and grazing leases, as well as providing a framework to convert leasehold land to freehold land,” he said.

“However, to date, only one third of Queensland’s eligible lessees have been freeholded, with leasehold rents now increasing for those who have chosen not to freehold.

AgForce and NAB Agribusiness are joining together to host a series of workshops to give landholders more information about freeholding, financing options and livestock lending, as well as a general rural property update.

Mr Moore said the workshops would also focus on the new land valuations issued earlier this month and the implications for North and North West Queensland primary producers.

“The rural property market over the past 18 months has been particularly buoyant on the back of strong commodity prices, with general rises of up to 25 percent in parts of the market, and this is flowing through to unimproved values as well,” he said.

“Unimproved values determine what council rates rural landholders pay and are also used to calculate leasehold rents, so it’s important the figures are right.”

The workshops will be held at:

  • Charters Towers Golf Club, 3.30pm – 5pm, 16 May
  • Hughenden RSL, 3.30pm – 5pm, 17 May
  • Cloncurry Community Precinct, 3.30pm – 5pm, 18 May

To RSVP and for more information click here.

Warwick producer forum

The impact of drought on property valuations will also be discussed at an upcoming producer forum in Warwick, on Queensland’s southern Darling Downs, being organised by AgForce.

South-east Queensland farming families wanting to improve their business and improve their health are being encouraged to attend the forum on Wednesday 24 May.

AgForce drought project manager Tahna Jackson said the event was the first of five events being held across Queensland this year under the State Government’s Community Drought Support Program.

“The prolonged and severe drought has taken an enormous financial, environmental and emotional toll on farming families right throughout Queensland,” she said.

“The ‘Managing Risks: Securing the Future’ forum is aimed at providing social support to farming families while providing tips and tools to improve their business, and revitalise their health and well-being.”

Rugby league legend and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Safety Ambassador Shane Webcke is the event’s keynote speaker, while other topics being discussed include the impact of drought on property valuations, and comparing sheep breeds and returns.

“Financial planning and insurance will be a key focus with speakers from the Queensland Farmers Federation, Entello, FTI Consulting, WFI and Rural Financial Counselling Services,” Ms Jackson said.

Advances in technology will also be in the spotlight during the forum with a presentation on a new biosecurity app, discussion on new DEXA meat measurement technology and Aglive representatives rounding out the day with a session on farming in digital times.

Happiness speaker, coach and trainer Kylie Dean will discuss ‘happiness from the inside out’ while Bruce Austin from SuperFriend will outline how to plan a mentally healthy retirement and the ‘five ways to well-being’.

  • The ‘Managing Risks: Securing the Future’ forum is being held at Abbey of the Roses, 8 Locke Street, Warwick on Wednesday 24 May.
  • Tickets are free but registrations are essential. Click here to register.

 

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