Monday 10 February 2014

Update on Galilee Basin State Development Area (GBSDA)

In November 2013, the Queensland Government released a paper entitled "Galilee Basin Development Strategy". In the document, great emphasis was placed upon the desire of the government to open up the Galilee Basin. One of the initiatives identified by the Government in achieving this aim was the streamlining of the land acquisition, planning and approvals process.
The Government has now released the fact sheet and a map of the proposed GBSDA and is undertaking consultation with various stakeholders. Included in the consultation will be landowners and the community affected by the proposed GBSDA.  The consultation will take place between January and March and the Government will consider feedback provided by stakeholders on the extent of the proposed GBSDA as well as a draft development scheme proposed for the GBSDA. The proposed GBSDA and the draft development scheme are available on the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning website at www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/coordinatorgeneral/.  It is also proposed that officers of the Coordinator-General will visit Clermont, Moranbah, Collinsville and Glenden during March 2014 to have face-to-face meetings with some stakeholders.

If your property is within the area of the proposed GBSDA, then it is important that you are aware of the impacts that the declaration of the State Development Area and the likely impacts of the rail corridors may have on your property to enable you to make a meaningful submission to the Coordinator-General, so that all of the relevant impacts are properly considered.

If you need assistance or further information in relation to this, contact Andrew Palmer or Justin Houlihan at Rees R & Sydney Jones on 4927 6333.