Purchasing, exchanging or allocating state land
Purchasing state land
You may apply to purchase unallocated state land at any time. You cannot apply if you are under 18, or seeking to purchase on behalf of someone under 18.
It is important that you read the policies listed on this page before proceeding.
If you wish to purchase an existing lease, you will need to apply for a conversion of lease. Land below the high-water mark cannot be purchased, but you can apply to lease it.
You are strongly encouraged to arrange a pre-lodgement meeting with us before you apply to ensure you have the information you need to apply correctly. You can do this by contacting your nearest business centre.
How to apply
Your application should include:
- Form LA00—Contact and land details (PDF, 92.1KB)
- Form LA10—Application to purchase or lease state land (PDF, 86.9KB)
- 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 by emailing SLAMlodgement@resources.qld.gov.au or by posting it to Department of Resources, PO Box 5318, Townsville QLD 4810.
Payment options
If a fee applies to your application, payment options are cheque (by post) or credit card.
Cheques should be made out to the 'Department of Resources' and marked 'not negotiable'.
Credit card payments are accepted 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@resources.qld.gov.au Phone: (07) 4447 9179
How your application is assessed
We will assess your application against legislative requirements. We will seek the views of other stakeholders (e.g. state, regional and local agencies) and inspect the land if required.
Policies and legislation
- Land Act 1994
- Guideline: Land allocation and specific requirements (PDF, 165KB)
- Deciding most appropriate tenure guideline (PDF, 700KB)
- Eligibility and assessment to hold land (PDF, 540KB)
- Land allocation: public purpose reservations policy (PDF, 601KB)
- Allocation of land in priority in terms of the Land Act 1994 (PDF, 598KB)
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.
Granting without competition
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.
The land may be granted without competition if the land is needed for a public purpose.
If the land is not needed for a public purpose, and the intended use is the most appropriate use of the land, the land may be granted without competition if one or more of the following apply:
- the applicant is an adjoining registered owner or landholder and selling or leasing to anyone else would be considered inequitable
- no other parties are likely to be interested in obtaining the land
- the applicant held a significant interest in the land before it became unallocated state land
- there is no dedicated access and the only practical access is through the applicant’s land.
Purchase price
The purchase price will be the market value for the land plus GST (if applicable).
What happens next?
Once we have received the advice of other stakeholders and all issues, including native title, have been investigated, 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 the purchase price
- lodgement of a plan of survey, if needed
- payment of all regulatory fees and charges.
The Governor in Council or the Minister for Resources grants the new tenure. Once you have accepted the offer and satisfied all conditions, we will seek approval to issue the tenure in your name.
In this guide: