Resources

Queensland’s compulsory acquisition rules do not work the way many property owners assume, and the gaps between belief and law are exactly where owners lose money. The most costly misunderstanding: unlike New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, Queensland has no solatium scheme, so emotional distress and sentimental value are not compensable here, no matter…

Yes, you can object. Sometimes, you may be able to challenge the acquisition itself, but this is rare. More often, your best option is to dispute the compensation offered, as this is where you are most likely to succeed. Key takeaways You can either object to the compulsory acquisition itself or to the compensation offered,…

Yes, you can object. Sometimes, you may be able to challenge the acquisition itself, but this is rare. More often, your best option is to dispute the compensation offered, as this is where you are most likely to succeed. Key takeaways You can either object to the compulsory acquisition itself or to the compensation offered,…

The Hidden Losses of Partial Compulsory Acquisition When the government takes just a strip, corridor, or small part of your land, it can hurt your finances. In some cases, it’s worse, because the land you keep might drop in value. Understanding the compensation you deserve can help you avoid settling for less and make sure…

A government energy corporation can compulsorily acquire an easement over your farm under your state’s land acquisition act, and your rights are identical to someone losing their home to a highway. Private solar and wind farm developers have no such power, and that one distinction shapes everything about how you should respond when the first…

The law that protects you depends on where your property is. In New South Wales, it’s called the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991, or the Just Terms Act. Every other Australian state and territory has its own similar law. Most people learn about these laws only when they receive an acquisition notice in…

If a government authority offers you compensation for your property, the negotiation that follows is not about emotion or persistence. It comes down to evidence, and your land Valuer is the one who builds that case. Most property owners know they should get their own valuation during a compulsory acquisition. However, many do not realise…

When the government acquires your land, it provides its own valuation, which is not prepared with your interests in mind. Getting an independent property valuation establishes what you are entitled to and lets you negotiate from a position of evidence. Key takeaways The acquiring authority’s valuation is prepared in its interest, not yours. An independent…

Receiving a Notice of Intention to Resume is the government’s formal way of telling you they plan to take your property, and it triggers a series of rights, deadlines, and decisions you need to act on quickly. This notice doesn’t mean you’re powerless. It means the clock has started, and knowing your next steps makes…

Getting a resumption notice is a gut punch. One letter, and suddenly the home you’ve built your life around, or the property you’ve worked years to own, is being taken from you by the government. What you receive in return, your fair compensation, covers far more than what your property is worth on the open…