Land tax

As mentioned in our September 2024 Noosa 360 update, Sandy has continued her advocacy since 2023 for a review of the land tax threshold to provide relief to both residents and local businesses alike in efforts to reduce flow on burdens to tenants. We understand, and as indicated from previous responses from the previous government, that Queensland’s threshold is one of the most generous in Australia, however it has not changed since 2007 and needs to be reviewed. Thankfully, following this advocacy by Sandy and others, the government made a commitment to review all property tax.

With a new government in place after the 2024 October State Election, we sought reassurance that the review would remain on track and confirmation that the automatic exemption system previously achieved, would finally be fully implemented. The following was provided in response by the Queensland Treasurer, who Sandy recently met with.

We acknowledge that the Land Tax threshold was last changed in 2007. We also note that the now Treasurer wrote to the former Government numerous times, both himself and on behalf of constituents, in a manner identical to your correspondence about this exact issue and was told that there was no need to change the land tax settings.

What we can provide is the following undertaking: the importance and value of real estate investors will no longer be ignored by the Queensland Government and getting more supply to market is a top priority.

Regarding the automation of exemption processes, this is an issue we identified and campaigned on in Opposition, and while the former government eventually conceded and made some automation available, there remains opportunity for improvement, and we will continue to work with QRO on opportunities to improve our customer services.

We welcome the commitment to improvement from the new government however as no firm timeline was provided, Sandy will continue to follow up on this and provide updates as new information becomes available.

Land valuations

The Valuer General announced that the Noosa Shire will not be revalued in 2025. Sandy also met with and wrote to the new Minister for Resources regarding the need for an independent body to be established to assess objections, as raised by residents. The following in italics has been provided in response. It outlines that an independent appeals team has been established to create a separation of duties and support natural justice in the review process.

Land Valuation Information

Land Valuations are undertaken in accordance with the Land Valuation Act 2010 and are undertaken on a mass appraisal basis, the process of valuing a group of properties as of a given date, using common data, standardised methods, and statistical testing.

This methodology is widely accepted across governments (within Australia and overseas), by industry, and supported by court precedent. It is considered the fairest and most equitable framework for the statutory purpose of land valuations.

To support landowners understanding valuations within their local government areas, fact sheets are produced which are available here.

Landowners are also able to look up their land valuation and surrounding areas online via the Find my Land Valuation page.

The Valuer-General provides “Valuation 101” and other information sessions to elected officials, and this maybe of benefit to enable a more fulsome discussion of valuation matters.

In relation to the request for the establishment of an independent body to assess objections:

The State Valuation Service (SVS) supports the Valuer-General in her statutory obligations, including actioning objections received. Following consultation with stakeholders and outcomes of court decisions, the SVS has established an independent appeals team to create a separation of duties and support natural justice in the review process. This has seen improved consistency in approach, methodologies, best practice, and efficiencies in streamlining the appeals processes.

This new reform supplements the Independently Chaired Conference Process within the objections process for properties over $5 million.

The SVS continues to review and reform processes to identify improvements to support the building of trust in the SVS and land valuations.

From our understanding of the above response, the independent team is still within the State Valuation Service. Considering this, we have requested clarification on what systems are in the place to ensure its true independence.

Further information

For those wishing to directly advocate, please consider contacting the following ministers:

Please cc’ our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive to us.

For our previous Noosa 360 updates regarding land tax and land valuations, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=land+tax+and+land+valuations

For queries regarding land valuations and also how these relate to Council rate calculations please read our update at  www.sandybolton.com/land-valuations-local-government-rate-calculations-march-2023.