Burnett v Chief Executive, Department of Natural Resources

The case of Burnett v Chief Executive, Department of Natural Resources was heard by the Land Court in Brisbane on 9 February 1999. The appellant, Albert Edgar Burnett, owner of the grazing property "Nairana", appealed against the Chief Executive's valuation of the land as at 1 January 1996, which was $470,000. Burnett contended that the value of the land should be $250,000 and sought a variation of the Chief Executive's figure. The legal issues before the court were whether the Chief Executive's valuation was excessive and unreasonable, and if not, what the appropriate valuation of the land should be. The court considered the evidence presented by both parties, including the classification of country on "Nairana", carrying capacities, and relevant sales evidence. The court found that the Chief Executive's valuation was excessive and unreasonable, and determined the value of the land to be $455,000. The appeal was allowed, and the valuation of the subject land was determined at $455,000.