Moreton Bay Regional Council to adopt new land buy back policy to boost environmental reserves

A southeast Queensland council has earmarked 98 sites it wants to buy back and transform into koala havens and environmental reserves but ratepayers will be footing the $1.8 million bill.

Moreton Bay Regional Council has compiled a list of 98 sites it wants to buy back and rehabilitate into environmental reserves.

The new Land Buyback Program policy is expected to be adopted during Wednesday’s council meeting, along with a confidential list of 98 sites that councillors and council staff nominated for acquisition.

Mayor Peter Flannery pitched the concept during his commencement speech on April 29 as part of his 10 point plan.

“I propose that we embark on an Environmental Land Buy Back Program,” Cr Flannery said.

“So that council can own and manage key green corridors across our region.”

Council then renamed its Infrastructure Charge to the Infrastructure and Environment Charge during the July 2020 Budget.

This included increasing the $78 rates charge by $6 to $84.

Mayor Peter Flannery and CEO Greg Chemello with their team from the Moreton Bay Regional Council hand at the budget meeting. PHOTO: Sarah Marshall

The first $1.8 million of this fund will be used to buy back the earmarked sites.

In the report, included in the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting, it states the aim of the Buyback Program is to “acquire, restore and rehabilitate land” that is part of a conservation network.

The aim will then be to conserve or rehabilitate the site.

This follows outrage over the South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy which saw previously protected areas in the Moreton region, no longer protected.

On June 1 councillors and staff were asked to nominate potential sites that could be acquired this financial year.

A total of 98 sites were nominated.

Rothwell residents Brian and Maureen Armiger were not happy council sold the large block of green space at Morris Road, Rothwell in 2017. Picture: Chris Higgins

Councillors are expected to adopt the draft Priority Acquisition List on Wednesday – which sites are on the list are yet to be made public.

The council controversially sold 9.2ha of green space at Morris Rd, Rothwell, which was connected to a nature corridor, in 2017 to Stockland for $16,150,000.

More than 400 residents signed a petition against the sale, with many angry to see the green space lost.

Council had previously purchased the site from the State Government to prevent it being used as social housing.

The land has since been cleared and homes are under construction.