Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington is calling on Nanango Electorate residents who own property in the Somerset to check newly released land valuations.
Deb said the Somerset region is one of 20 local government areas across Queensland which are part of the annual land valuation program in 2024.
“I urge landowners to carefully review their valuation notice when it arrives in the mail and consider if they should lodge an objection against their new valuation by the closing date of 27 May 2024,” Deb said.
“The new valuations should reflect the property market on 1st October 2023, the date of the valuation undertaken by the Department of Resources.”
“The Somerset region has seen a 73.4% valuation increase in Primary Production land in the latest review and a 40% increase for Rural Residential land. There have also been some significant increases in median values for Residential land resulting in an overall median value of land being $185,000, an increase of 51.6%.
“All of our townships have seen increases including:
“Land valuations are the basis for rating, land tax and state land rental purposes and the new valuations will take effect from 30th June 2024.
“If you believe your land valuation may be incorrect, I would encourage landholders to lodge an objection. I am aware of some landholders who have saved on their local government rate bills by successfully objecting to an incorrect valuation.
“Objections must be lodged within 60 days from the date of issue and no later than 27 May 2024, with forms found online at www.qld.gov.au/landvaluation, or by calling 1300 664 217,” Deb said.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington is encouraging community groups across the Nanango Electorate to consider applying for the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) Super Round.
Deb said the GCBF Super round is a great opportunity for regional community groups to progress their key projects and wish lists.
“Community groups make up the social fabric of our regional community and these grants are an ideal chance to get a funding boost and get their important projects underway,” Deb said.
“Without our clubs and groups, and all those who volunteer their time, most of the events and activities we love would just not happen.
“I encourage all local groups, however big or small, to consider applying for a Gambling Community Benefit Fund Super Round Grant to help achieve their goals,” Deb said.
The GCBF Super Round is offering grants up to $100,000. Applications are now open and will close on 30th April.
Deb also congratulated the twelve South Burnett western Gympie region clubs and groups who have just been announced as successful applicants in GCBF Round 119. The clubs include:
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington with Dave Timperley at the Kilkivan Veterans and Community Shed. The group has been successful with a GCBF grant to purchase machinery.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says there has been a two-year delay in the start of planning for the replacement of the dangerous single-lane Tanduringie Creek Bridge on the Kingaroy-Cooyar Road in the South Burnett.
Deb said funding for the planning works had been promised by the Labor Government in the 2021/22 Budget however a recent statement from the Department of Transport and Main Roads exposes this work has only just started.
“I am extremely disappointed that this crucial planning work has been delayed, given how dangerous this old, timber bridge has become,” Deb said.
“In 2021 there was a near tragedy on the Tanduringie Creek bridge when a bus carrying students from Tanduringie State School nearly collided with a heavy vehicle on the bridge.
“Despite ongoing calls from myself and community since then, the Labor Government have not committed any funding to actually replace the bride, however, we were hopeful that the planning project funding would help progress its priority.
“This is another clear demonstration of our regional roads being seriously neglected.
“On behalf of the Tanduringie State School community and other regular users of the Kingaroy-Cooyar Road, I will continue to advocate for the replacement of this bad single-lane bridge to ensure our kids can get to school safely and regular users of this road reach their destination safely,” Deb said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington at the Tanduringie Creek Bridge.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has congratulated Benarkin State School on the installation of the first defibrillator for the community.
Deb said she was delighted to officially ‘open’ the arrival of the defibrillator, which the school has recently had installed.
“This is a great initiative by Benarkin SS who have fully funded its purchase and installation on school grounds,” Deb said.
“The defibrillator is available for the use of the whole community, and it has been put in an easy to access location on the school tuckshop wall so that anyone who has a family member or friend experiencing an emergency can come and utilise it.
“Well done to Benarkin SS Principal Kerry Christie and her team for making this happen.
“I was also delighted to officially present the 2024 School Leaders, Mikayla Bear and Koby Bear with their badges and I wish all the new leaders and the school community a great year ahead,” Deb said.
“It is terrific to see Benarkin SS going ahead in leaps and bounds with strong support from the families and surrounding community,” Deb said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington and Principal Kerry Christie opening the new defibrillator at Benarkin SS
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says further delays on the roadworks on the New England Highway between Cooyar and Coalbank are just not good enough.
Deb said she has been receiving complaints from local residents who are extremely frustrated by the ongoing delays which have been occurring since the roadworks began in May 2021.
“It has been nearly three years since the roadworks on the New England Highway began and while the community have been very patient over this time, these further delays are just not acceptable,” Deb said.
“At the beginning of the year the heavy machinery left the site and I have been advised by the Department of Transport and Main Roads have been temporarily stopped and that the works won’t restart until March, depending on weather.
“That’s a three month delay, which has left the unfinished section of the Highway a narrow one-way stretch, controlled by a set of traffic lights with very high drop-offs on each side.
“Locals and regular users of the New England Highway are quite frankly sick and tired of how long this is taking.
“It’s just not good enough that the works have been suspended. The Minister for Main Roads just needs to prioritise regional roads and get this job finished,” Deb said.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington at the roadworks on the New England Highway between Cooyar and Coalbank.
LNP invites Queenslanders to sign petition to have cost of living put under microscope
The LNP has today called on crossbench Parliamentarians to throw their weight behind an expanded cost of living inquiry, to drive down living costs.
Shadow Minister for Cost of Living, Deb Frecklington, spent time in Toowoomba this morning to listen to businesses’ experiences of skyrocketing costs, announcing she has written to crossbench MPs, calling for their support to put Government-controlled cost increases under the microscope.
The LNP has launched a petition inviting residents and businesses to have their say and demand action on the Queensland Cost of Living Crisis.
Shadow Minister for Energy and Cost of Living Deb Frecklington said businesses and families are doing it tough and government needs to take action to drive-down cost of living.
“While the big supermarkets must absolutely be held accountable for their role in cost of living, so too must the Government that is influencing costs like electricity, transport, insurance and water,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Power bills have jumped 20% in the past year on average with some businesses paying a staggering 40% more on their bills.
“Businesses are being forced to absorb much of these rising costs, but it means they’re having to make difficult decisions about not upgrading equipment, working longer hours themselves.
“Families are now choosing between putting food on the table and paying their bills on time.
“This is what happens under a Government that has left our major power plant offline for nearly three years.
“We know Callide being offline has sent power bills through the roof, the Auditor-General and Queensland Competition Authority have confirmed it.
“Queenslanders have had enough, we must have action today.
“Queenslanders can join our fight on cost of living by signing our petition.
“We’re also calling on crossbench MPs to support their communities by joining us in putting a microscope on the big costs government influences like electricity, water, transport and insurance.
“The Palaszczuk-Miles Labor Government has the wrong priorities and their constant state of chaos and crisis is costing Queenslanders.
“Only the LNP has the Right Priorities for Queensland’s Future including saving you paying for Labor’s failures.”
Queenslanders can sign the LNP’s petition here.
