Farmers and residents of the Southern Downs can expect higher rates following a report last Friday by the Queensland Valuer General which showed a significant increase in valuations across all land use categories in the region.
Primary producers are facing a 75 per cent increase on the last evaluation in October 2022.
The new valuations take effect from June 30.
AgForce is urging Queensland landholders not to delay if they want to object to new land valuations, or risk being lumped with higher council rates and land rent.
AgForce CEO Michael Guerin said the time for landholders to speak up was now, with objections needing to be lodged with the Valuer-General by 16 May.
“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,” he said.
“In recent years, AgForce has assisted many members secure significant reductions in valuations, resulting in large savings, and once again we are ready to assist with our free workshops to help people assess their valuations and find out more about the objection process.
AgForce’s valuer John Moore said responsibility for ensuring values were correct lay with landowners, not local governments.
“Unimproved values are done by mass appraisal, meaning your property isn’t individually valued so errors can occur,” Mr Moore said.
“It’s important you object to your new valuation if you believe the unimproved value is too high, because it could result in large savings in rates or rent.
“But you only have until 16 May to do so, so I urge landowners to begin the process today.”
Landowners who disagree with their valuation and are able to provide supporting information can lodge their objection online or at the address shown at the top of their valuation notice by 16 May 2023.
If you don’t have internet access, please call 1300 664 217 to request an objection kit.
The Valuer-General’s department said the decision to revalue a local government area is based on factors including a property market survey, the timing of the last valuation and consultation with local governments and industry.
Throughout the course of the 2023 land valuation program, several factors were identified to have influenced values including: Overall confidence in the rural sector; strong beef and commodity prices; low interest rates; rural sales transacting at record levels; significant increases in land value for rural properties; improved seasonal conditions; producers seeking to acquire more land in order to expand their herds; family operations and corporates seeking scale; and the Southern Downs seeing significant interest in the Warwick district as a result of the affordability compared to South East Queensland.
Land valuations provide independent data for various industries and allows landowners to monitor the movement in the value of their land.
Local governments and the Queensland Revenue Office use this information as an input to their rating and land tax considerations.
For more information on statutory land valuations or to access latest valuation data, visit www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/title/valuation/annual
A call centre has been established for a 60-day period to answer any enquiries, on 1300 664 217.
