Community & Business
8 April, 2025
Jump in local land valuations
The latest land valuations released by the Queensland Valuer-General show that the average increase in the value of residential land in Pittsworth is higher than the average for the Toowoomba Region.
For Toowoomba Regional local government area (LGA), the revaluation included 70,359 properties, with a total value of $26,596,591,863, an overall increase of 31 per cent since the last revaluation issued in 2022, as assessed in October 2021.
At Pittsworth, where 1,189 properties were valued, the median value per property was $175,000, compared to $129,000 at the last revaluation in 2021 - an increase of 35.7 per cent.
According to the Valuer-General property market changes within the Toowoomba Regional LGA are being driven by a number of factors including an increasing population in the region; increased economic employment opportunities with continued confidence within rural industries; and lifestyle changes and quality of life opportunities.
In the Millmerran residential area, where 549 properties were valued, the median valuation is now $61,000, a 19.6 per cent increase on the 2021 figure of $51,000.
Southbrook showed the greatest jump in values.
Residential land there doubled from $67,000 in October 2021 to $134,000 in October 2024, which is when the latest valuations were done.
Valuations also doubled at Mount Tyson - from $41,000 to $82,000 for the 52 residential lots.
Westbrook valuations rose from $207,500 to a median of $290,000 across 1,319 allotments - an increase of 39.8 per cent.
Wyreema saw a rise of 35.3 per cent in the median valuation, from $170,000 to $230,000.
Across the Toowoomba Region, the median value for rural residential land rose from $237,000 to $325,000, which is a 36.8 per cent increase.
The total area given to primary production in the Toowoomba Region is now valued at more than $5-billion.
At the end of 2021, primary production land was valued at a total of $3,533,202,900.
The October 2025 valuation is $5,006,527,700.
That is an increase of 41.7 per cent.
The Valuer-General explains that cattle commodity prices reduced during 2023, after significant growth in 2019-2022.
This corresponded with significant increase in rural land values during that period, as a result of continued low interest rates, good seasons and high commodity prices.
Since that time, despite lower commodity prices and higher interest rates, recent sales support the continued confidence.
The Queensland Government has useful information available on its website to understand the 2025 land valuations for our Region – www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/title/valuation/annual/explained/toowoomba-regional-council
The valuations will take effect from 30 June, 2025
REVALUATION AND TRC RATES
Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald said Toowoomba Regional Council would use legislative tools available to average valuations over two or three years and, where appropriate, apply rate caps to certain rating categories.
“A big spike on your land valuation from the Queensland Valuer-General does not automatically mean a big spike in your Council rates,” Mayor McDonald said.
“In the formation of our 2025/26 Budget, Council can implement a number of measures to smooth out the valuation to ensure residents are not adversely affected by a large valuation increase,” he said.
If a landowner disagrees with their new valuation, and can provide information to demonstrate it is incorrect, they can lodge an objection online via www.qld.gov.au/landvaluation
The 60-day objection period for the 2025 land valuations closes on 26 May, 2025.
AGFORCE ALERT FOR PRODUCERS
AgForce is urging Queensland landholders not to delay if they want to object to new land valuations – or risk being lumped with higher council rates and state land rent.
AgForce CEO Michael Guerin said the time for landholders to speak up was now, with objections needing to be lodged with the Valuer-General by 26 May 2025.
“Unimproved values determine what council rates rural landholders pay and are also used to calculate leasehold rents, so it’s important the figures are right,” Mr Guerin said.
“In recent years, AgForce has assisted many members secure significant reductions in valuations, resulting in large savings, and once again we are ready to assist with our free workshops to help people assess their valuations and find out more about the objection process.”
AgForce’s valuer John Moore said responsibility for ensuring values were correct lay with landowners, not local governments.
“Unimproved values are done by mass appraisal, meaning your property isn’t individually valued so errors can occur,” Mr Moore said.
