Council backs plan for major live cattle export facility
Date published: 27 October 2015
Townsville City Council has approved a proposal that will secure a major live cattle export facility and open the door to further development on the expansive Lansdowne Property it owns near Woodstock.
The council today gave a conditional green light to the sale of 161.3 hectares of the 2200 hectare property to the current lease holder Wellard Rural Exports Pty Ltd to develop the facility.
As part of the plan, Wellard will also be granted a short term lease over a buffer area adjoining the facility site, but in return will relinquish a lease over the wider Lansdowne holding, freeing it up for other development.
Mayor Cr Jenny Hill said the plan would protect the DECAMAG lease on the Lansdowne holding and open up other areas of the property for compatible agriculture based industries.
"The proposal offers the best possible outcome for Townsville and demonstrates the value of the council making strategic land purchases," Cr Hill said
"By acquiring Lansdown for $2.5 million 15 years ago, the council secured a strategic land that is now paying economic dividends for the city with this project, and more yet to come.
"The deal gives the community an immediate financial return on its investment, and economic boost from the new facility, and frees up the remainder of Lansdown for new development.
Planning and Development Committee chairman Cr Tony Parsons said the project would establish Townsville as a major cattle export hub for northern Australia.
"Wellard plans to build a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art export facility with minimal environmental impacts, to sell the region’s cattle to the ever expanding Asian markets," Cr Parsons said.
"The company can only make an investment of that size if it has security of freehold title and confidence that the surrounding land uses will be compatible in the long term."
The council will provide Wellard with a new short term lease over buffer areas adjoining the proposed facility, but will have the right to terminate the lease early to make land available for other compatible development opportunities.
Council’s backing is subject to Government approvals and due diligence enquiries by Wellard.
The new live export facility is expected to create 25 direct jobs, generate significant economic spin-offs for suppliers, and provide the staging point for the shipment of cattle through the Townsville Port.
The council will seek Ministerial delegation for the land sale to Wellard from the Queensland Government to obviate the need for a public tender and facilitate the development.
Wellard will also be allowed to utilise and relocate existing bores to ensure access to water.
Changes will also be made to the City Plan to reflect the land uses proposed for the council’s Lansdown holding.
