Lansdowne Pastoral Company Pty Ltd v Department of Natural Resources and Water

Lansdowne Pastoral Company Pty Ltd sought to challenge the determination of the Chief Executive of the Department of Natural Resources and Water regarding the unimproved value of their grazing property at Tambo. The dispute was heard and determined in the Queensland Court of Appeal. The primary issue before the court was whether the Chief Executive had erred in his assessment of the unimproved value of the property, specifically whether the valuation was excessive compared to similar properties and relevant sales data. The appeal hinged on the interpretation and application of the Valuation of Land Act 1944, and whether the Chief Executive had appropriately considered factors such as carrying capacity, sheep area values, and allowances for size and disabilities in determining the property's value.

The court found that the Chief Executive had not adequately justified the valuation of the property by comparing it with the valuations of other properties, particularly those from selected cases relied upon by the appellant. The court emphasised the importance of considering a range of sales evidence and classifications of country when determining the unimproved value of a property. The court held that the Chief Executive had not appropriately accounted for the unique characteristics and potential of the Lansdowne property, particularly its carrying capacity and suitability for sheep grazing. As a result, the court determined that the valuation was excessive and set it aside, instead determining the unimproved value of the property at Ten Million, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($10,500,000) as at 1 October 2005.