Strategic land acquisition to guide growth

Council will lay a guiding hand over the future development of Beaudesert with the proposed acquisition of a strategic parcel of land to the east of the town.

Mayor Greg Christensen said Council had resolved to negotiate with the State Government to secure surplus land once earmarked for a dam near Beaudesert.

"It represents a rare opportunity to secure land, essentially on the outskirts of Beaudesert, to cater for future growth. This is a strategic move in terms of helping map out the future direction of the town," Cr Christensen said.

The tract of land forms part of the now-defunct Glendower Dam footprint which was proposed for the Albert River catchment before a decision to construct Wyaralong Dam on Teviot Brook.

Council will negotiate the transfer of a 180-hectare parcel of land on the eastern outskirts of Beaudesert on a site bounded by Beaudesert-Nerang Rd and Tabragalba House Rd.

Cr Christensen said there were limited opportunities to extend the existing Beaudesert urban footprint to the north, south or west due to constraints such as flooding, existing rural residential development and high-value agricultural land. 

"We know that Beaudesert is positioned to be the principal population centre of the Scenic Rim in the years to come. This means there will be ongoing demand for land for residential and commercial development," he said.

"However, we also need to give consideration to planning for the future facilities to support this growth, such as new sporting grounds and other community amenities.

"As development extends to the east of Beaudesert, Council will have the capacity to develop these facilities in the heart of the growth corridor, not around the edges.

"It also provides the potential for urban renewal and redevelopment in the town centre over the longer term through the relocation of existing amenities."

Cr Christensen said Council had originally resolved to acquire four parcels of land totalling 277 hectares but amended that earlier decision at today's meeting.

"We reviewed our position with the benefit of additional information and reduced the scale of our proposed acquisition to a single 180-hectare parcel," he said

"This provides the best outcome in terms of a developable land footprint and represents the most prudent investment of Council funds on behalf of the community.

"I believe responsible governance requires the courage to review and revisit decision-making if situations change."