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Approval was sought from the Department of Local Government. H:\CEO\CEO2008\Land Issues\LetterMinisterPittExemption492-250908.pdf The Department of Local Government was advised of the outcome of the public ballot. H:\CEO\CEO2008\Land Issues\letterminister061008.pdf Contracts for sale were prepared H:\CEO\CEO2008\Land Issues\REIQ House Land 6 edSIMPSON-FINALCOPY.PDF H:\CEO\CEO2008\Land Issues\Special_ConditionsFINALCOPY__Annexure_A_.PDF Four (4) contracts of sale have been achieved. One (1) contract of sale is under negotiation. One (1) allotment was redrawn and is waiting on acceptance of the offer. One (1) allotment will need to be re-drawn. Vern Collins owns two of the allotments and has expressed an interest for one either side of him. Approval has been sought from the Minister for Local Government to sell Lot 7 (only) to V & E Collins to maintain access to their non conforming development. The other allotment will be utilized by Council for an SES Shed (pending funding approval). Progress 22 June 2010 • Seven allotments were offered by public ballot in October 2008. • 1 allotment now has a dwelling. • 1 allotment has a building application approved to relocate a dwelling. • 1 allotment is due for a building application and negotiations are continuing with the

prospective owner. • 1 allotment has until August to lodge a building application. • Title of the land does not pass to the purchaser until the dwelling is substantially complete. • 3 remaining allotments have been retained by Council – one of these has been utilized for

the SES building. • 2 allotments out of the original 10 were sold by agreement to the adjoining owner with

exemption approved by the Minister for Local Government as required by the Local Government Act, 1993.

On 22 June 2010 RESOLVED to: Offer for sale one allotment (Lot 13) for market value through the local real estate agents; Retain Lots 1 and 2 for Council and SES use; Continue to liaise with DERM to obtain future residential land, such as ten allotments in Middleton Street for future development. Progress 21 June 2011 • 3 allotments now have a dwelling. • Title of the land has passed to 1 owner. • Title of the land for the remaining 2 will pass to the purchaser in the near future as the

dwellings are substantially complete. • 3 remaining allotments have been retained by Council – one of these has been utilized for

the SES building the other two for drainage. • 2 allotments out of the original 10 were sold by agreement to the adjoining owner with

exemption approved by the Minister for Local Government as required by the Local Government Act, 1993.

• The remaining 2 allotments are available for sale by auction with our local real estates. Council decided at its meeting on 17 August 2010 Council resolved to include in the contracts for sale of the two Simpson Street allotments due for auction to have a special condition to require construction of a dwelling within five years. There has been no interest in this land to date.

• There are still 3 unallocated state land allotments that Council can apply for in the future.

Statistical Information – Simpson Street:

Location: Simpson Street (between Works Depot and Tolano Street)

Area Average 800m2 each

Water Water connection available

Sewerage Lots 1,2,4,7,9 and 10 could probably be sewered by gravity for a cost of $50,000 (based on current TMP valuations) however 11,12,13 and 14 would most likely require a pumpstation as well.

Road Sealed bitumen road

Power Connection available

Telephone Connection available

Soil Type Black soil

Drainage Lots 9 and 10 are unusable at the moment because of drainage but this could be rectified with about $9000 in drainage and fill work. Simpson Street does have flash flooding (as experienced in January 2005 when 6 inches fell in 1 hour) and drainage improvements have been made to storm water drainage.

Amenity The allotments have unrestricted views to the west adjoining town common.

Town Plan Zoned Residential

Number of potential allotments 7 – 10 allotments (Lots 1-2, 4, 9, 11-13 and 17)

Lot 7 – consider sale to Vern Collins

Lot 10 – retain as drainage

Apply for Lots 3, 8 and 15 USL to DNRW for release

Timeframe 2007-2009

Estimated cost to develop per allotment $10000

Cost $8000 (paid 2001) - $800 per allotment

Estimated market value $5,000 - $6,000

Site Plan Simp

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RURAL RESIDENTIAL LAND – PATTEL DRIVE (formerly Middleton Street) Background 32 x 1 acre allotments were developed in Middleton Street and put to auction in October 2008. Council resolved Special Meeting 26 June 2007 Council resolved to adopt option 1 to develop 32 x 1 acre allotments for sale: Budget Allocation 2008/09 $950,000 – monies funded from borrowings. Progress 18 October 2007 • Legal advice has been sought to sell land ‘off the plan’ to generate income to meet

expenditure for required infrastructure. • Director of Works advised Council 16 October 2007 infrastructure cannot be implemented

as suggested by Option 1 – at least 80% required prior to sale of six allotments. Estimate $350,000.

Progress 30 June 2008 • Aussie Drainage and Plumbing have been engaged to commence works on the water and

sewerage services for the allotments. • Real Estate Agents approached in Richmond to quote and supply on provision of auctioneer

costs. • Roberts Nehmer McKee, Solicitors have been engaged to prepare a draft contract including

options to sell the allotments from the plan prior to completion of all infrastructure works – and explore options to sell the land by public ballot at a reduced price with special conditions to require construction of a dwelling within 2 years. (see attached)

• QTC have been approached to borrow funds for the development of land in Richmond. Funding applications open in late July 2008.

• Ergon Energy advise $380,000 for connection of electricity and to power pump station for sewerage system.

• Telstra Country Wide have been contacted for an estimated cost for telephone connection. Progress 30 June 2009 Two allotments had contracts signed at auction. One was successfully sold and the other fell through. There was a lot of interest at the auction and bidding ranged from $15,000 to $30,000 was achieved on nearly all of the allotments. In April 2009 Council reduced the reserve price of $30,000 to $25,000 until 1 July 2009. A further two allotments have been sold as a result of the reduction in price. There was also some further interest with some of the original bidders. Ergon Energy are currently connecting power and street lighting and an amendment has been approved to reduce the number of lights required. The subdivision has been registered with Telstra however works have not commenced. Progress 22 June 2010

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PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL LAND – off Flinders Highway Background Located off the Flinders Highway and identified as future industrial land. Council now has freehold title of the land and has prepared initial subdivision design for development assessment with concurrent agency Main Roads. Council seeks to develop the land by incorporating a truck rest stop on the large area of road reserve between the proposed subdivision and Flinders Highway. In addition Council seeks to negotiate two access points to the subdivision to create a loop that will allow road train access. The draft designs are attached. Council Resolution Special Meeting 26 June 2007 Council resolved to develop the land as a staged development. Budget allocation 2008/09 $250,000 – Budget amended and funds not spent. Progress 18 October 2007: Registration of the Deed was been completed. Initial consultation with Department of Main Roads reveal there would be issues with access to the Flinders Highway from the proposed service road. Two options were discussed:

1) require access via BP road reserve only 2) extend access to existing minor intersection adjacent Slaughter yards

Progress 30 June 2008 George Bourne & Associates Engineering Consultants inspected the site 18 June 2008 and submitted the attached design for council approval. Budget meeting 30 June 2009 Council resolved to continue with development approval however has not allocated further funding to develop the proposed subdivision. It would appear that Main Roads have recently approved a truck rest area for Hughenden at Lights on the Hill and another in Julia Creek. No word has been received on Richmond’s proposal. Action required: • Development Application to be lodged and consultation to occur with Department of Main

Roads. • Development of 2 x 1 ha allotments, where possible including connection services and

road access. Budget meeting 22 June 2010 Engineering consultants LCJ Engineering were engaged to design subdivision. Concurrency agency Main Roads have agreed to access points to Highway.

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210

Area 21.64ha

Water Required

Sewerage Required

Road Required

Power Required

Telephone Required

Soil Type Black

Drainage No drainage issues

Amenity Adjacent railway line and BP service station Immediate access to the Flinders Highway via an existing Service Road Good exposure for industrial land with Highway frontage Good distance from town – reducing possible amenity problems for residents

Town Plan Future industrial

Number of potential allotments 21 x 1 ha allotments – plus 2 allotments adjacent BP (already free hold)

Timeframe 2007 – 2009 – Staged development

Estimated cost to develop per allotment DOW to assess

Cost Council has recently paid $34,000 and Deed of Grant has been received

Estimated market value Assessment to be made following development

Site Plan Lot 210 – Proposeed Industriaal Land

FUTURE RURAL RESIDENTIAL LAND – CROYDON ROAD Background Located on Croydon Road adjacent the airport, comprising of four allotments, this land has been identified for future rural residential allotments. Recommendation: Due to the size of the allotments and availability of other land within the town area it is considered that the development of this land be deferred until 2009/2010 – subject to further negotiation with the State. Resolution Special Meeting 26 June 2007 Council resolved to accept the Department of Natural Resources and Water’s offer to purchase on the condition that it can pay 50% of the purchase price in 2007/08 and the balance in 2008/09. Budget Allocation 2006/07 Withdrawn. Progress 18 October 2007 DNRW refused to accept Council’s offer and the matter has been deferred pending as land is now available via Middleton Street. Comments 30 June 2009 No further action required. Comments 22 June 2010 No further action required. Comments 21 June 2011 Council has realigned the Airport Road for safety purposes at the intersection with Croydon Road. Fencing and grid relocation have also been completed. No further action to freehold land has occurred.

Statistical Information: Location: Pt Lot 78 RT 102 Area 55.8ha east of Croydon Road 51.45ha west of Croydon Road 44.5 ha east of Airport Road

37. ha north of Airport Water Required Sewerage Septic is an option Road Bitumen sealed road includes Croydon and Airport Road Power Limited to road frontage Telephone Limited Soil Type Black Soil Drainage 1 natural drain running through site Amenity Air traffic is minimal but will impact on site.

Rural Residential allotments surround the location Town common and river adjacent the allotments

Town Plan Rural Residential Number of potential allotments Opportunity for 1ha – 3ha allotments Timeframe 2009/2010 Estimated cost to develop per allotment $20,000 (with sewerage) Cost $170,000 initial payment to DNRW

Estimated market value $40,000 per allotment

Sitee Plan Propposed Ruraal Residenttial Land, CCroydon Road

SIMPSON STREET ATTACHMENTS CONDITION OPTIONS FOR SALE OF LAND

1 Western Australian Council required:

Lodgement of cash or an unconditional Bank or Building Society Guarantee for the sum of $20,000 to ensure compliance with conditions imposed with the following applied: i) The dwelling will commence to be erected on the proposed allotment within a period of 6 months from the date of signing of Plan of Survey. ii) $10,000 of the amount will be refunded, or the guarantee reduced by $10,000 once foundations for a new dwelling have been inspected by Council or a removal dwelling is located on site. iii) The balance of the security will be refunded or the guarantee returned when the completed dwelling has been continuously occupied by the person registered as the owner of the property for a period of not less than 12 months from the date of Council’s final building inspection. 1 Queensland Council required (Chincilla): Allotments sold for full market price Preference given to first home buyers First home buyers grant matched on completion of dwelling Jandowae (Dalby Town Council) Allotments sold for $1 Preference given to people coming into the Shire with skill, trade or business to offer Dwellings to be completed within 12 months or full market price to be paid Title of land was not transferred until substantial progress made on the building. VICTORIAN COUNCIL – AVOCA Recently a Victorian Council embarked on a lottery competition to give away free land after a successful competition to give away a free business.

Simpson Street Attachments:

1 COUNCIL'S REAL ESTATE GAMBLE PAYS OFF Reporter: Pip Courtney

First Published: 12/03/2006

SALLY SARA: First up today, a mission impossible - how to revive a small country town. There's no doubt many of Australia's small towns took a hammering in the '90s. Reduced government services, bank closures, collapsed wool prices, and a severe and prolonged drought led to high unemployment and a flight of people to bigger regional centres and capital cities. In 2001, the Darling Downs town of Jandowae - population 750 - decided to try to arrest a decline in population, morale and business activity. While some thought it was a crazy idea, the local council decided to sell 38 blocks of residential and industrial land for a dollar each. PIP COURTNEY: Jandowae is a small country town on Queensland's Darling Downs, 260km west of Brisbane. It's peaceful, safe, tidy and friendly. But in 2001, Jandowae was dying. Local nurse, Margaret Curd, suggested an unusual way of getting the town out of the doldrums. MARGARET CURD: My husband is a councillor and he'd mentioned that the council had a lot of blocks of land in town that they didn't know what to do with, they couldn't get rid of them. I just said to him one night after a council meeting, "It's a pity you couldn't give it away. At least if you could give it away, you could get probably get someone into these blocks and possibly collect rates off them." He said, "We probably could never could give it away." I said , "Why don't you just put it up and say $1 a block." MICK COSGROVE: So we went with it, Pip, and it was just amazing the publicity we received. We had publicity in New Zealand, Hong Kong, England, America. We had people ringing up from radio stations all over, asking about these dollar blocks. PIP COURTNEY: There were so many people wanting to buy a block that an overwhelmed council decided the fairest allocation system would be a ballot. There was a condition, though - a house had to be on the block within 12 months. If not, the land would be balloted again. The council hoped young families, as well as people willing to start businesses and plug skill gaps, would be attracted to Jandowae by the scheme. It had house blocks with the water, electricity and sewerage on. It just wanted the people to go with them, people that would join the sports clubs, shop in the town, send their kids to the local school, people that would help kick-start economic and community activity. All up, 38 parcels of land, including several commercial blocks, were offered in the ballot. Most of the house blocks were in Brigalow Street, now known locally as Dollar-Block Street. DAVID FEARNS: When we came here, there were about 850 people. Now there is 1,150. So in three years, that doesn't sound like a lot, but it's a fair amount. And the town is now jumping. We've got new people and a lot of interest, a lot of keenness. Yeah, the place is now alive. PIP COURTNEY: What's it like as you see each house get to lock-up stage? TOM BRADLEY: Well, it's quite exciting, really, because for many years we saw no development in this town and now it's just continual. PIP COURTNEY: Were some people worried about what the dollar blocks would do to Jandowae? MICK COSGROVE: Yes, initially there was some misapprehension and, of course, we've had the odd dud along the way, too, but I guess that was to be expected, but overall it has, by far, been a great success. PIP COURTNEY: Courtesy of the new arrivals, the town ended up with a plumber, a masseur, an IT specialist, a golf pro, and Matt Oakes, a pastry chef from the Gold Coast. Mr Oakes says a chance to be mortgage-free was just too good to pass up.

MATT OAKES: It was time to sort of slow it down a bit. So I came out here, gave up the night shift, gave up the crazy traffic, the amount of people, the queues, the line-ups, you know, no-one talks to you, and came out here for the exact opposite. And I haven't looked back. There was one time - just as I moved all my stuff in here that I thought, "What am I doing?" but that only lasted 10 minutes. PIP COURTNEY: His pride and joy was moved to the block from a nearby farm and he is gradually doing it up. Despite taking a break from the pastry business, Mr Oakes says getting work hasn't been a problem. MATT OAKES: Coming from what I did to being a slaughterman and being a builder, it's certainly - it's all outdoors, it's a complete change and it's different. But if you're willing to do something different, you will almost certainly get work. PIP COURTNEY: Nearly three years ago, Gordon and Sandra Murphy stopped in Jandowae for a coffee. They had left Mount Isa and were heading south, looking for a new town to settle in. PIP COURTNEY: Could you believe that you could get a block of land for a dollar? GORDON MURPHY: No. No. PIP COURTNEY: Did you think there would be a catch? GORDON MURPHY: Ah, well, I didn't even know they had them, but, yeah - well, it's sewered, it's got power and it's got water, and it's nice flat block. There is nothing wrong with it. PIP COURTNEY: Jandowae was without a plumber, so the Murphys' arrival was very, very welcome. They built a new home and plan to extend it. All ideas about retiring, though, have been shelved. GORDON MURPHY: Out the window. I work six days a week now. PIP COURTNEY: For Norm and Annette Purcival, the dollar block was their way out of the rat-race on the New South Wales Central Coast. ANNETTE PURCIVAL: I liked the fact that it was quiet, that it was pretty. People were very friendly that we spoke to and we enjoyed coming into a rural area and seeing all the crops in the paddocks and things like that which, you know, was so far removed from living on a main road in a city and suburban area. Up here you can walk down the street, everybody smiles at you. If you say hello to somebody they will immediately talk back to you and ask you how you're going and comment on the weather. So, yeah, much nicer up here. PIP COURTNEY: The Purcivals bought a kit home and are close to finishing it. The couple created their own jobs by buying an old servo and starting a mower business. Their nephew, Wayne Nicholson, joined them from New South Wales and is now working with them. NORM PURCIVAL: And there was a fair bit of feedback from the people in town that there was a need for a small engine mechanic and so that's what we did. PIP COURTNEY: Theirs is not the only business to open since 2001. NORM PURCIVAL: When we first came to look at our block of land, there were a lot of empty shops, and if you go up the main street now, several of those shops have started to operate again and have businesses. PIP COURTNEY: The Purcivals were stunned to find themselves in a town where workers actually went home for lunch. LOCAL: Okay, see you soon. LOCAL: See you in an hour. NORM PURCIVAL: Some of the businesses don't close the doors when they go home for lunch. If somebody comes in and they want something, if they've got an account, they will take what they need, write

a little note and say, "I took a battery," or something like that. PIP COURTNEY: What did you think when you heard that? NORM PURCIVAL: Coming from a place where you couldn't leave something in the front yard without it disappearing within 10 or 15 minutes, that was a pretty big culture shock. PIP COURTNEY: Going home for lunch surprised fellow dollar-blocker, David Fearns, as did the custom of people knowing each other by the last three digits of their phone number. DAVID FEARNS: Everybody starts 46685. I'm beginning to remember now different people's phone numbers through the last three digits. You're virtually known by the last three digits. PIP COURTNEY: 25-year-old Lauren Purcival bought a dollar block just around the corner from her parents. The single mum, who has done an owner-builder's course, says the block is her chance to get ahead. LAUREN PURCIVAL: It's brilliant. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for it. So, yeah, it's good. It opens your eyes, actually. Little communities are quite good. PIP COURTNEY: Do all the dollar-blockies sort of know each other? LAUREN PURCIVAL: Yeah, we do. We have a good neighbourhood around here because everybody knows each other and we have that one little thing in common. I like that there is enough people in town that you're not lonely and that there's a good kindergarten that Jay will be able to attend in the next week or two when he turns three. I don't know, it's just nice. And there are a lot of people my own age and a lot of little families. PIP COURTNEY: On Wednesday night, it's $5 crumb steak night at the middle pub. It's a time for all the Purcivals to get together. 21-year-old Scott and his cousin, Wayne, both approve of Jandowae. SCOTT PURCIVAL: The traffic is one thing – like, there is no traffic here. There is just long stretches of road. You just travel 100k/h. If you want to keep your licence, you don't go over that. Just friendly. Even the police out here are friendly. WAYNE NICHOLSON: It's a quiet place, it's nice. It's better than the city, I reckon. PIP COURTNEY: Why is it better? WAYNE NICHOLSON: Just the quiet. I've made a lot of friends out here. PIP COURTNEY: Quite a few retirees made Jandowae home as a result of the dollar-block program. The move from Victoria to Queensland meant for the first time Grant McColl could own his home. GRANT MCCOLL: Lovely. Nice and quiet. No - well, we never lock the house. You don't lock anything. It's great. It's unreal. PIP COURTNEY: What would you say to them if people are considering it? GRANT MCCOLL: Get it into gear. Get it into gear and get out here. It's lovely and quiet up here. You won't beat it. PIP COURTNEY: When the dollar-block program was announced, the town was suddenly full of people looking at land. But not everyone who came to look put their name down for the ballot. Some were so amazed you could buy a house for $35,000 in a town with so many facilities, they bought on the spot. MICK COSGROVE: A lot of those people remodelled their houses or painted them and the whole town has had a real facelift and it's just been a great overall experience for the town, yes.

PIP COURTNEY: Not a bad result, considering the hostility some locals felt when they heard about the dollar-block plan. Opponents claimed land values would plummet. Particularly nervous were those with houses on the market that they couldn't shift even at rock-bottom prices. Incredibly, by virtually giving away land, the value of it went up and houses started selling. DAVID FEARNS: The poor estate agent - there was a guy here for quite a number of years. His name was Edwards. He was a terrific bloke, but he'd had enough. He left and went down to Tasmania, so a new agent took over. And the new agent came on the crest of a boom and he sold around 66 houses in two months. I mean, he was laughing. PIP COURTNEY: As part of the promotion, the council made available a handful of bigger industrial blocks. In a bid to reduce overheads, John Finlayson senior and junior relocated their family company, Aleis, from Brisbane, bringing 20 jobs with them. JOHN FINLAYSON SNR: We looked at a small town like Jandowae and knew there would be people in the town looking for work, because there wasn't a lot of employment in the town so we felt the staff we got, once we got the good staff, which we have now - very loyal staff - we would be able to keep them because opportunities are not easy to get. So, all of that sort of put together come up to sort of 100% of where we wanted to head. PIP COURTNEY: Aleis makes electronic readers. Their equipment is found in abattoirs and saleyards and on cattle properties here and overseas. JOHN FINLAYSON SNR: The advantage the people in the town have gained is that we've got people who are just used to normal, simple lives and we're training them into probably electronics fields. We've got young lads like out there on the machine who has never done anything like that in his life and now he is operating a C and C machine. So we're prepared to put the time into people that are prepared to learn. PIP COURTNEY: How does Jandowae compare to Brisbane in terms of being able to do business? Has it been a good move? JOHN FINLAYSON JNR: Yeah, we haven't had any inconveniences because there's plenty of freight companies. We haven't had any troubles getting deliveries, we haven't had any troubles getting staff. JOHN FINLAYSON SNR: I think the town is a very complete little town and if we need more, we just drive 50ks to Dalby. Of course, all my family came up and there are six members of us and we've purchased and done houses up in the town. So, this is our home and this is our town and we've supported it, you know, and we intend to do that, yeah. PIP COURTNEY: One of the most welcome additions to the town has been David and Jewel Fearns. Jewel was sick the day we filmed this portrait, so it was just David and Dash the dog. DAVID FEARNS: We came into town, drove around the town, into the shopping centre, as you can call it. I said, "I love it. It's clean, it's quiet. Fantastic. Let's go." I didn't even get out of the car. PIP COURTNEY: Originally from Queensland's Sunshine Coast, the couple moved a house onto the block and renovated it. DAVID FEARNS: She's found sort of like a peace here. She has got herself involved in Rotary and Show Society and she's a country person at heart. Like, she's got a couple of small horses and some chooks and a goat. You know, she likes life in the country. So I don't think she is going to be going anywhere too soon. And I don't really like the idea of the hustle and bustle of Sydney. There is no hustle and bustle in Jandowae. And I like that. PIP COURTNEY: The couple bought the caravan park from the council. They've since added a dining room and cater for functions.

SISTER MARY CLEARY: They've done marvels there at the caravan park. And then because of David here at the golf, being the pro, and Jewel has been - they've both been very involved in the town. So they've been a great benefit, I think, to Jandowae and we're lucky to have them. I'm glad they found us. PIP COURTNEY: Most importantly, the Fearns started the annual Jandowae Senior Pro Am golf tournament. DAVID FEARNS: I really get a lot out of it because I'm really happy to see all these guys that I used to play on the tour with years ago and I can't play as well as I used to. A lot of these guys have maintained their form, but I just like to see them up here playing in our tournament, on our golf course. I love it. PIP COURTNEY: For two days, locals get to play their 9-hole golf course alongside former PGA tour players, such as Randall Vines, Geoff Parslow and John Clifford. BOB BAILLIE: It's great. Every weekend for two days, they all come to town. Great atmosphere for everybody around town. RANDALL VINES: Well, he organised it so well, we couldn't say no. It is a really good weekend. It's a great social weekend for us. I think it just shows - there's over 40 professionals here this weekend. JOHN CLIFFORD: It's just sensational. We're staying down the caravan park with Dave and Jewel are they're just treating us like kings. When you come out and play with nice people, you can't have anything better. GEOFF PARSLOW: It's like a big family get-together. All of us pros, I know we all look forward to coming here. DAVID FEARNS: Once they tee off, once they actually hit off the tee here, it's business. Yeah, even at their age, it's full-on. PIP COURTNEY: Are the pros still pretty competitive? DANNY SPENCER: Oh, ultra, ultra-competitive. We might be over 50 and probably greying a little bit at the temples, but let me assure you, everyone loves to do their best. PIP COURTNEY: Sister Mary Cleary is a pupil of David Fearns. SISTER MARY CLEARY: The golf is secondary, I think. I like the company, the exercise, the fresh air and then you hit a good ball and you come back again, that's the main thing. So I'll be back next year. PIP COURTNEY: Did you have a good game of golf today? LEN WELDON: I did, actually. I had three birdies, which is very unusual for me. PIP COURTNEY: Do you think that was because you were playing with a nun? LEN WELDON: Could have helped. Anything helps when you're a golfer. PIP COURTNEY: Brisbanite Len Weldon first visited Jandowae in 2001. LEN WELDON: My wife and I just decided one time we might need a sea change and then we seen an ad in the back of the 'Trading Post' from the local real estate people here that said house and land for $38,000. We decided to come and have a look and we bought, on that same weekend. PIP COURTNEY: The Weldons' house is their retreat from city life. LEN WELDON: It's amazing. People actually talk to you. When you go into the bar, people actually talk to you. Walk along the street, people say hello to you. Neighbours are good. Everything about the town is really, really friendly.

PIP COURTNEY: David Fearns wants to turn the 2-day event into a 4-day Darling Downs championship title. The economic conditions on the Darling Downs in 2006 are very different to those that existed in 2001. Back then, years of drought and economic stasis meant people in and around Jandowae were packing up and leaving. Surprisingly, towns like Jandowae have rebounded. Resident numbers have increased, there is a land shortage, the average house price is in the mid-$100,000s, not the mid-$30,000s and $40,000s, and skilled job vacancies are going unfilled. GORDON MURPHY: With the new power station going on and the mine, they're going to need more tradesmen in the building trade. I can't get plumbers to work for me. There’s none out here. Skilled labourers - you will need more concreters, carpenters - all around. PIP COURTNEY: While the Kogan Creek Power Station and a coal seam gas development has given the area a boost, before that effect kicked in, the dollar-block program reinvigorated Jandowae. A test of land values will be in April when land the council bought from QRail will be auctioned. First up are nine house blocks. Later, another six. Given the last residential block in Jandowae sold for just over $20,000, people expecting a cheap pick-up will be disappointed. After the railway land is subdivided and sold, the council will auction another 12 blocks on the site of the old butter factory. After that, there won't be much land for sale within the town boundary. PIP COURTNEY: What do you think the level of interest will be when the first lot goes for auction? TOM BRADLEY: I believe the level of interest is going to be high because we've got people from other parts of the State already phoning us and talking to us about this land, and I think that it's going to be quite an exciting time. PIP COURTNEY: But if you get too many people here, do you actually kill what's attractive about Jandowae? MICK COSGROVE: I think we've got a way to go before that will happen, Pip, and I'm sure we can handle all the people who come to Jandowae. Yeah, the more, the merrier. We'll accommodate them, that's for sure. SALLY SARA: Pip Courtney reporting from thriving Jandowae. FARM FACT: THERE WERE MORE THAN 1,000 APPLICANTS FOR THE JANDOWAE DOLLAR BLOCK BALLOT.

Country land giveaway

• Reporter: Jonathan Creek • Broadcast Date: September 08, 2008

Peak hour traffic, frightening house prices and a rental shortage isn't motivation enough for most of us to take up the simple life - we think about it, but never make the move.

Now country towns across Australia are in a battle for you! It's the old "populate or perish" theory - more people means more business. So in an effort to survive, local councils are offering opportunities of a lifetime.

All you have to do is move to the country.

The latest offer is this block of land in the central west Victorian town of Avoca - Just two hours from Melbourne. Valued at $60,000 it's being raffled and the tickets free.

"Avoca is one of the jewels in the crown of the region, it's a lovely place to live, a lovely place to bring up a family, great facilities, great recreation opportunities," said Lester Harris, Mayor of Avoca.

"It's about getting people into the town, it's about getting people into the region, and providing some available housing," Lester said.

And this is no back block, once considered the prime piece of vacant real estate left in town with a river frontage and close to both the bowls and golf clubs.

"If a free block of land isn't enough to move you, throw in clean country air, a relaxed lifestyle and picturesque surrounds. Still not convinced? Then how about this wild card - Avoca is situated in the heart of Victoria's wine country.

"It is a great start, even for those who don't happen to win a block of land, our average mortgage is $700 a month and even for those wanting to rent, it's I think, $108 a week average rentals so it's a lot cheaper to live here than some other places," said Angela Hunt, CEO of the Grampians Pyrenees Development Board.

Compare that to Melbourne's average house price of $450,000.

Last year, the Pyrenees Shire gave away a business. Town folk thought they were crazy and ironically the competition attracted a psychologist to town.

In Queensland, the country town of Jandowae is booming. It all started in 2001 when the council raffled off thirty five blocks of land.

And in Bruce Rock, Western Australia, free land has been a constant fuel for population growth since 1992. In 2006, with no blocks remaining, the town was declared full.

Town planning expert Bill Kuznichook is all for these types of marketing promotions, but warns they are exactly that and anyone considering a change should do their homework.

"You need to know there are job opportunities, you need to know there might be schooling needs you've got, you need to check whether or not you can actually build on this site, so you need to check the local council for your planning and building regulations and you also need to make

sure that servicing and infrastructure to your particular site is available and what the costs are associated with it," Bill said.

The only catch with the block in Avoca is that you have to be at the Royal Melbourne show to collect your ticket and then visit an information centre in the Pyrenees Shire to lodge that ticket.

"They're going to have another look anyway, exactly," Angela said.

"The Council's going to win out because they're going to increase the number of people in their community, that's going that have all sorts of multiplier effects for the council in terms of future rate revenue and all the rest of it. On the other hand, the community is winning out, the people who are taking advantage of these things because they've got cheap land or they've got cheap housing, so in terms of the whole housing affordability debate, that's going to be a plus and a win/win for everyone," Bill said.

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MEDIA RELEASE RICHMOND SHIRE COUNCIL

6 OCTOBER 2008

$1 LAND GRAB - RICHMOND Today at 12noon Richmond Shire Council’s Mayor, John Wharton, drew out 7 lucky recipients of the $1 land grab. Mayor, John Wharton said, It has been a very positive strategy for Richmond, with wide spread media coverage and seven new families coming to town. We’ve also received a very positive response to our 0.4 ha rural residential allotments that go up for auction (at market price) on 18 October 2008.” Michelle Clarke, Chief Executive Officer said, “A total of 39 applications were received, along with hundreds of enquiries. 30 applications were eligible for the draw and 9 were ineligible. All successful applicants have been notified by phone and will receive a follow up letter of offer and contract for sale from Council’s Solicitors. “Applications were received from as far as South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, although most applications were from Queenslanders. We even had two gentlemen drive up from Sydney to be present at the draw – unfortunately for them they were not successful – but they did check out the 1¼ acre allotments while they were visiting us.” Michelle said. The successful applicants are:

1. A couple from Kirwan in Queensland 2. Two lots went to two separate individuals from Prairie in Queensland 3. A woman from Carina Heights, Queensland 4. A gentleman from Eight Mile Plains, Queensland 5. A couple from Burleigh Heads, Queensland 6. One lot went to two women from Townsville

Eligible applicants that were not drawn today will go into a re-draw should any of the above people fail to meet the contract conditions or decline the offer of the land. All applicants have been notified by mail of the status of their application. People interested in the 1¼ acre rural residential allotments that go to auction on 18 October 2008 or industrial land for sale in Richmond can find out more at www.richmond.qld.gov.au or contact the Richmond Shire Council (07) 47413277. Michelle said, “On behalf of the Richmond Shire Council I would like to thank all our applicants for expressing an interest in our town.”