No bushland bought in Brisbane for first time in 35 years

For the first time in 35 years just one property, worth only $60,000, has been bought under Brisbane’s bushland levy, which slugs residents 3.5 per cent of their general rates. HERE’S WHY.

For the first time since a levy was slapped on Brisbane ratepayers 35 years ago to buy critical bush blocks for conservation, just one $60,000 property has been bought despite council collecting $19m and despite 100 “suitable’’ blocks being identified.

Labor has accused the administration of “making money from the killing of trees’’, but Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says he is delivering value for money by buying up big before the real estate boom.

Council had been gradually paying off a deficit from its “accelerated’’ acquisition program about five years ago and has promised to “spend every single cent’’ raised from the levy and a separate developer offset levy.

Labor Councillor Steve Griffiths said he understood there were currently about 10 properties which council hoped to buy and 100 deemed suitable for acquisition.

But only about $385,000 had been spent this financial year on preservation. The low figure was partly due to wet weather hampering rehabilitation works.

Harry the rescued koala released into a Camp Hill nature reserve. Council says 4400ha of land has been bought for reserves. Picture: Liam Kidston

A total of $19.5m was raised through the Bushland Preservation Levy, set at 3.5 per cent of general rates.

A total of $5.1m was received through the Environmental Offset program up until April 2025. It was raised from developers where high-value vegetation was removed.

Bridgeman Downs residents said bush in their rapidly-growing area was among the most critical in the city as it formed part of the “mountains to mangroves’’ corridor — the last remaining wildlife corridor of its size.

Lucille Hopkins, who has started a petition to protect 440 Beckett Rd, said that block was under imminent threat from subdivision.

“It’s home to sugar gliders, wallabies, a large variety of birds and is probably overflown by microbats,’’ she said.

“Developers have bought all around, at 415, 409 and 427 Beckett Rd. There’ll be nothing left for wildlife.’’

She said 440 Beckett Rd was still uncleared but a new development application was lodged about six months ago.

In 2019, a proposal for a petrol station, childcare centre, townhouses and two fast food outlets was lodged for 415 and 427 Beckett Rd, sparking a petition from local Labor MP Bart Mellish.

Council blocked the plans but the owner submitted a proposal last month for 41 house lots.

Mr Griffiths said more than $21m in Environmental Offsets were received from developers, as of May this year, but claimed council had invested only $5.5m in tree planting.

“Further, of the $19.5m raised from ratepayers via the Bushland Preservation Levy, only one property worth $60,000 has been acquired this financial year.

“This LNP Council is quick to take money from both ratepayers and developers, but slow to deliver on its promises for real environmental action. They are making money from allowing trees to be killed.’’

He said the Bushland Acquisition Levy was now called the Bushland Preservation Levy, disguising its original purpose.

“Residents expect that when they pay a bushland levy, those dollars will go directly towards protecting and expanding our city’s green spaces,’’ he said.

“Instead, we’re seeing a growing gap between what’s collected and what’s actually spent on the ground.’’

In 2019, Mr Griffiths referred the levy scheme to the Auditor-General after his analysis showed only two properties were bought in a Labor ward between 2016 and 2020, compared with 30 blocks worth $71m in LNP wards.

Ms Davis and Mr Schrinner denied his claims.

“Every single cent of our Bushland Preservation Levy and Environmental Offset program is invested in protecting Brisbane’s natural areas,’’ Ms Davis said.

“You only have to walk through our suburbs to see the success of our Bushland Preservation levy, which has protected more than 4400 hectares of bushland spread over about 400 properties since it was established.

“Labor wants to raid Brisbane’s Bushland Preservation Fund for compulsory property resumptions in the middle of a housing crisis and blow funding set aside for the long-term restoration and preservation of critical bushland.

“It’s reckless, shortsighted and demonstrates why Labor can’t be trusted to manage ratepayers’ money or protect the environment.

“The idea that you can’t protect natural habitat without buying it is entirely incorrect.’’

(L to R) Nigel Hughes, John Hopkins, Venessa Smit, Lucille Hopkins and Councillor Steve Griffiths at the Beckett Rd bush block. Picture: Patrick Woods

Mr Schrinner hit back in council’s weekly meeting on Tuesday, saying it took time to negotiate sales, often years, and in many cases buyers did not want to sell.

He said the accelerated acquisitions since 2020 had given “more bang for buck’’ because it meant council had snapped up properties before the post-pandemic property boom hit.

He also made no apologies for voluntary, not compulsory, buybacks — especially in the middle of a housing supply crisis.

Council pointed out that 415, 427 and 440 Beckett Rd in Bridgeman Downs were part of an Environmental Management Zone overlay, introduced as part of the Bridgeman Downs Neighbourhood Plan which Labor had refused to support.

The Bushland Preservation Fund was designed to buy land not protected under such planning rules, although Bridgeman Downs residents said they had not helped stop development in their area.

Originally published as No bushland bought in Brisbane for first time in 35 years