Rookwood Weir Funding Update Sessions

Melanie Findlay was asked to speak to landowners affected by the Rookwood Weir at two AgForce organised sessions this week. They were held at Duaringa for landowners affected by the proposed Rookwood Weir site and Alton Downs for those affected by the Eden Bann raising. There were representatives from Agforce, Sunwater, GAWB and the Lower Fitzroy Infrastructure Project EIS Project Team also in attendance. Lachlan Miller MP also popped in for a chat at the Alton Downs meeting.

Melanie said

“The sessions were well attended and received. It was good to see more communication being received by affected landowners. As well as being concerned about impending easement resumptions, landowners were particularly concerned about the price of water once the infrastructure is built.”

The Additional Information Statement Project was released in May and submissions in regard to this are open until 27 June 2016. Geraldine Squires from the project team invited landowners to update their contact details with the project team and to make submissions if they so wished. She also advised attendees about the contents of previous submissions and landowner concerns that had already been received.

The most stressful or pressing question that a property owner has when they are affected by an impending resumption is:-

“What do I do with my property in the meantime. Do I develop it and continue to invest in my land or what do I do whilst in limbo?”

Melanie Findlay advised attendees that you cannot put your life on hold. The date of the resumption is the date which a Valuer will use to value your property. If you do not continue to work and use your property as you normally would, then that value will be lower. These projects have been on the cards for some years and you cannot simply sit on your hands and wait for the resumption notice to come. Project dates change, extend and move. Carry on with your life, keep a diary of what the project employees say and do over the years. There are also hardship provisions under the Acquisition of Land Act which can be used in certain circumstances.

If you wish to hear more about the process for the Weirs, contact Melanie Findlay on (07) 4927 6333 or enquire@reesjones.com.au.