Landowners in Narangba, Queensland, have expressed concerns regarding the land acquisition process for the Bruce Highway Western Alternative project.
Project Background
In July 2023, property owners in Narangba were informed their land was required for the Bruce Highway Western Alternative. Among those affected are Christine and Robert Schulz, whose 22-acre fruit farm would be largely taken by the highway, and Gary and Davina Herbert.
Early Acquisition Process Concerns
Landowners claim they were initially told by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) that they would receive above market rate for their land, sufficient to purchase a comparable property.
However, Christine Schulz stated that they were not fully informed about the legal differences between early acquisition and official resumption.
Early acquisition is based on policy rather than legislation, meaning certain legal rights applicable during official resumption, such as taking issues to Land Court, do not apply.
An independent valuer indicated that this process can provide the government with an advantage due to the limited number of potential buyers.
Landowner Experiences
The Schulzes, who operate a banana and mango farm, were hoping for $2.5 million for their property but received an offer of $2.15 million, following an initial offer of $2 million. They stated the offer did not reflect the work invested in their farm and would not be enough to find a similar property in the area. They subsequently terminated the early acquisition process to await official resumption.
The Herberts reported similar issues, reaching an agreement on land value but encountering difficulties with moving costs. They will also wait for official resumption.
Both sets of landowners claimed they were not permitted to record early meetings with TMR officials.
Department's Position
A TMR spokesperson stated that the department does not have a preference between early acquisition and official resumption and is committed to assisting all landholders through the process.
The department's early acquisition policy indicates that property value negotiations are based on the price that would have been realized if the planning for the project had not been announced.
Broader Context
A 2022 New South Wales parliamentary inquiry into land acquisitions noted concerns that property owners applying for hardship acquisitions may have reduced power to negotiate, potentially leading to lower purchase prices.