LANDHOLDERS have been told they risk being lumped with higher council rates and rent if they don't challenge Queensland's new land valuations.
The warning from AgForce follows the release on Wednesday of the Valuer General's new valuations for 25 local government areas: Balonne, Banana, Barcaldine, Barcoo, Blackall-Tambo, Bulloo, Burdekin, Central Highlands, Charters Towers, Cook, Diamantina, Gladstone, Gympie, Isaac, Longreach, Maranoa, Murweh, Paroo, Quilpie, Somerset, Southern Downs, Tablelands, Toowoomba, Western Downs and Whitsunday.
Massive increases have been recorded for Diamantina - 155 per cent, Bulloo - 128pc, Quilpie - 108pc, Central Highlands - 100pc, Issac 97pc, Charters Towers - 97pc, Balonne - 89pc, Murweh - 85pc, and Barcoo - 82pc.
AgForce chief executive officer Michael Guerin said objections must be lodged with the Valuer-General by May 31.
"Unimproved values determine what council rates rural landholders pay and are also used to calculate leasehold rents, so it's important the figures are right," Mr Guerin said.
"In recent years, AgForce has assisted many members secure significant reductions in valuations, resulting in large savings, and once again we are ready to assist with our free workshops to help members assess their valuations and find out more about the objection process."
A property map had been prepared for each AgForce member's property potentially affected by this year's valuations.
AgForce's valuer John Moore said responsibility for ensuring values were correct lay with landowners, not local governments.
Unimproved values are done by mass appraisal, meaning your property isn't individually valued, so errors can occur.
- John Moore, AgForce valuer
"Unimproved values are done by mass appraisal, meaning your property isn't individually valued, so errors can occur," Mr Moore said.
"It's important you object to your new valuation if you believe the unimproved value is too high, because it could result in large savings in rates or rent.
"But you only have until the end of May to do so, so I urge landowners to begin the process today."
Landowners who disagree with their valuation and are able to provide supporting information can lodge their objection online or at the address shown at the top of their valuation notice by May 31.
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