Rob Window's rural block has more than doubled in value and, while that would be good news for many, it means stress.
His property went up 149 per cent following the Queensland valuer-general's 2023 land appraisals, leaving Mr Window worried he would not be able to afford his new council rates.
"It's just ridiculous … we just don't know what to do at the moment," he said.
Mr Window and his wife Kim Russell bought the 16-hectare rural block at Euleilah, south of Gladstone, five years ago.
"Kim was getting over cancer … we thought we'd had enough of the rat race," he said.
"[We decided] to just go somewhere quiet and live our lives.
"Now it seems we can't do that."
Land valuations occur annually and, in the latest round, 805,000 new valuations were issued across 24 local government areas in Queensland.
Some of the highest rises for primary production land were in Mount Isa, with a 301 per cent increase in some cases, and 290 per cent in parts of Cloncurry.
Areas of Maranoa shot up by 98.8 per cent.
In Mr Window's case, his land was valued at about $71,000 when purchased five years ago but, after the latest valuations, it increased to about $177,000.
Valuations affecting council rates
While it can be a sign of a strong property market, Mr Window is not the only one unhappy about his land being worth more.
Peak rural lobby group Agforce said members have increasingly been concerned about the latest figures, and there were steps people could take to object.
Agforce Land valuation consultant John Moore said that while higher valuations were great news for people wanting to sell their land, it was not positive for those wanting to hold onto it.
"The problem with mass appraisal is that errors can occur and that's why it is important that people check these valuations," he said.
The biggest concern for people like Mr Window is a higher value often means higher council rates, depending on the local government.
"The council decides what they do with that rating category and makes changes to reflect the rises," Mr Moore said.
The Mount Isa City Council has assured property owners that their rates will not increase at the same level that land valuations have, with rates to be decided in June.
With freehold property, land tax is also calculated using valuations when a property is worth more than $600,000, but agricultural land is exempt, he said.
Rental increases
Rent for primary production leasehold land is capped at 10 per cent. If land values increase, so does the rent.
"For people with leasehold land … if a property's valuation has doubled, their rent is going to double over the next 10 years," Mr Moore said.
Valuer-General Laura Dietrich said the valuations took into consideration all information and sales data available at the 2022 date of valuation.
Ms Dietrich said the decision to revalue a local government area was based on factors including a property market survey, the timing of the last valuation, and consultation with local governments and industry.
Land costs 'unsustainable'
Peter and Sue Joliffe are familiar with situations like Mr Window's, having previously objected to a valuation increase.
The couple has 12,000ha of land in the Maranoa region north-west of Roma that they purchased in 1971.
Two-thirds of their property is freehold, used for beef cattle, and the remaining third is state forest, for which the couple pay rent even though it cannot be used for grazing.
The value of their land has doubled in this round of valuations and is worth $4.5 million, much to Mr Joliffe's frustration.
"All my life I've lived around this area and what land is [costing] today is unsustainable," he said.
Mr Joliffe said having successfully objected to a value increase before, they planned to object again.
Like other landholders, he has 60 days from the valuation to lodge an objection with the valuer general's office.
For this round, that dealing is on May 16.
Research advisable
Mr Moore advises landholders to undertake thorough research before their objection.
"[They need to] articulate to the Department of Natural Resources why they think their valuation is high," he said.
Mr Moore said examples of problems could include weeds, a road running through the property, significant degradation, or mining activities.
Some of those arguments will form part of Mr Joliffe and Mr Window's objections, as both say large sections of their properties are unusable due to vegetation overlays and state forest areas.
The new land valuations will take effect from June 30.
