Purchasing, exchanging or allocating state land

Any registered owner or landholder can apply to exchange their freehold or leased land for unallocated state land or trust land at any time.

An exchange of land can be undertaken regardless of whether the market values of the exchanged lands are equivalent—as long as the state's equity is not reduced. The state does not pay the difference in value if the applicant's land is of greater value than the state's land.

How to apply

Your application should include:

• Form LA00—Contact and land details (PDF, 92.1KB)
• Form LA21—Application for exchange of land (PDF, 54.7KB)
• Application fee
• Any additional attachments, as requested

To avoid processing delays, read the forms carefully and include all required information.

Lodging your application

You can lodge your state land application in person at your nearest business centre, by emailing to SLAMlodgement@dnrme.qld.gov.au or by posting it to Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, PO Box 5318, Townsville QLD 4810.

Payment options

If a fee applies to your application, payment options are cash (in person only), EFTPOS (in person at some centres only), cheque (in person or by post), or credit card.

Cheques should be made out to the 'Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy' and marked 'not negotiable'.

Credit card payments are accepted in person or over the phone.

We will send you a receipt once we have established that your application meets all requirements and has been properly made.

Contact us

If you have any questions about lodging your application or payment, contact:

• SLAMlodgement@dnrme.qld.gov.au Phone: (07) 4447 9179

You can contact your nearest business centre to arrange a pre-lodgement meeting.

How your application is assessed

We will assess your application against legislative requirements and our own policies, procedures and guidelines. We will seek the views of other stakeholders (e.g. state, regional and local agencies) and inspect the land if required.

During the assessment, we will consider the most appropriate use and tenure for the land and whether the land may be offered with or without competition.

We will also ensure that all outstanding rent of any lease has been paid.

Policies and legislation

• Land Act 1994

Native title

Our review will also include an assessment of whether native title issues need to be addressed, and how this should be done. Depending on the outcome, you may be required to address native titles issues as a condition of the offer.

What happens next?

Once we have received advice from other stakeholders and investigated all issues, including native title, we will send you a written notice. If your application is successful, a written offer will set out the various conditions and requirements. You must complete the acceptance form and return it to us by the date specified or the offer will lapse.

The conditions may include:

• payment of any difference in the land valuations (including GST)
• payment of stamp duty
• lodgement of a plan of survey, if needed
• payment of all regulatory fees and charges.

Reviews and appeals

If your application is refused, there is no provision to appeal against the decision.