The Lockyer Valley will be among 15 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to receive new land valuations next year, the Queensland Valuer-General has confirmed.
The Valuer-General recently wrote to Council advising that the Lockyer Valley had been included in its 2026 Land Valuation Program.
The new land valuations will be issued to landowners by 31 March 2026 and take effect for rates purposes from 30 June 2026, Deputy Mayor and Finance Portfolio Councillor Chris Wilson said.
“Earlier this year, Council formally requested the Valuer-General undertake a new valuation given it will be three years since the last one took place in the Lockyer Valley,” he said.
“Regular valuations help minimise sharp fluctuations in rates that can catch ratepayers off guard, and this new valuation will provide a more stable and predictable rating environment.”
Cr Wilson said Council uses a rating model that aims to mitigate the impact of potentially substantial valuation changes.
“If for example, your land value increases by 30 per cent, it doesn’t mean your rates will increase by 30 per cent,” he said.
“Council uses an averaging formula that helps smooth out any spikes and aims to ensure rises are reasonable and manageable for everyone across the board.
“Council’s average rate increase for the past four years is 3.7 per cent, compared to the average CPI of 4.5 per cent, demonstrating that this Council takes a definite community-first approach to rates.”
The 2026 Land Valuation Program will include more than half a million properties across 15 LGAs, including Burdekin, Douglas, Etheridge, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Hinchinbrook, Ipswich, Mareeba, Noosa, North Burnett, Redland, Sunshine Coast, Tablelands, Western Downs and Lockyer Valley.
Cr Wilson said councils play no part in determining the value of rateable land, which is the responsibility of the Valuer-General.
“It’s been three years since the last valuation in 2023 and the region continues to grow and attract new residents and the market is still strong compared to historic averages,” he said.
“A new valuation ensures market movements and the influence of recent sales are accurately reflected in land values and our residents get the most up-to-date figures possible.”
The Valuer-General considered detailed property market analysis, the timing since the last valuation and feedback from councils and key stakeholders before determining which LGAs were included in the program.
For further information about the valuation process, or to sign up to receive your new valuation by email, visit www.qld.gov.au/landvaluation.
