Queensland and Pacific Pty Ltd v Department of Natural Resources and Mines

This case involves five appeals against annual valuations of various properties located in the Coomera Marine precinct at Coomera, Gold Coast, Queensland. The appeals were brought by the applicants against the Chief Executive of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, who had determined the valuations under the Valuation of Land Act 1944. The applicants argued that the unimproved values as determined by the Chief Executive were too high and should be reduced. The Land Court of Queensland was tasked with reviewing the valuations and deciding whether the Chief Executive's determinations were correct.

The court considered various factors in determining the unimproved values of the subject properties, including the nature of the land, the methods of valuation, the use of the land, relativity, and comparison of sales. The court found that the Chief Executive's determinations were not entirely supported by the evidence and set aside the unimproved values as determined by the Chief Executive. Instead, the court determined the following unimproved values for the subject properties:

- Lot 403 on SP 134172 and Term Lease 215424, and Lot 5 on SP 113789 (AV2002/0120): $730,000
- Lot 9 on SP 126783 (AV2002/0121): $545,000
- Lots 402, 43, 44 and 46 on SP 131463, Term Lease 215196 (AV2002/0131): $2,200,000
- Lot 45 on SP 141005 (AV2002/0132): $660,000
- Lot 47 on SP 141005 (AV2002/0133): $235,000

The court considered various aspects of the subject properties, including their nature, the potential for development, and the impact of filling and other improvements. The court also examined the methods of valuation used by both parties, as well as the relativity of the subject properties to other properties in the area. Ultimately, the court found that the Chief Executive's determinations did not accurately reflect the unimproved values of the subject properties and set aside the Chief Executive's valuations in favour of the new values determined by the court.