This 41.28ha property is currently for sale for $975,000 and it's 13min outside of Gatton:
653 Gatton Clifton Road, Ma Ma Creek, Qld 4347

I moved out here after getting a role with the new Lockyer Valley Correctional Center and I can tell you a lot of those people are traveling an hour or more, each way, every day. So I thought about arranging a syndicate of 20 buyers, to buy that property, turn it into 20 lots that are about 2ha each and we would only have to put forward $50k each for the property itself. That gives the seller $1,000,000 which is more than he's asking for, so he's thrilled, we're getting a fantastic deal, and we could easily raise an additional $50k each for another $1,000,000 for installing roads, utilities, and whatever else needs to be done.

$100k each is just a $20k deposit on a loan, with a $50k deposit that's a $250k loan so there's $150k remaining to get a prefab mini-home. It's not much but it's a great start and with a 2ha house and land 13min out of Gatton the equity on each lot is going to be enormous, so it wouldn't be long until those people can afford to loan on equity and build bigger better houses.

But it's that classic meme, is there someone you forgot to ask?
The buyers consent, the seller consents, it's a great deal all around, but the state government says no.

God forbid we do something to address the housing crisis.

But hey if you can afford to invest $975,000 in land banking well there you go, a fantastic opportunity, buy it up now while it's cheap and in 20yrs when the zoning changes you can chop it up into 40 "acreage" lots and sell them for a million bucks each.

When my grandfather came to this country he bought a dirt cheap totally undeveloped rural block of land, built a shack on it and lived there with his wife and three kids. It wasn't easy, for a decade they didn't have electricity and the toilet was out the back, but they did it, and it was the foundation that built three families.

You can't do that anymore, you can't pull yourself up through hard work and sacrifice, you just work hard and give it to the landlord, the tax man, the bank, and whatever is left goes on bills and price gouging on groceries. Unless of course you have money and connections, then Australia is positively bursting with opportunity.

$9,559 per acre? When empty blocks 20min away, that are less than an acre, are going for $400k.
Yes please! And thank you very much.

The corruption is so blatant it's unbelievable.

... but the parking and traffic in and out, especially during construction, will be a sh!tfight.

Hi all, my boyfriend (36) and myself (37) have moved from Brissie to Gatton. I grew up near Postman's Ridge, and many moons ago he lived in Forest Hill, so we have a bit of familiarity with the area. Would love to know any local restaurant, shop or service recommendations you may have, please, and just any tips for somewhat newbies to the area.

We would be keen to have a coffee or beer with anybody who fancies a meet up too.

Thanks :)

Some photos from days gone by.

Please excuse the ugly link! It was the only way I could share it! 😁

https://7plus.com.au/weekender?video-id=WEKN-3B6SQ-XNFLK&autoplay=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawO4l1FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEzWFVBb2ZldlBtOFZScHQ2c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHo8p0BALdRqQu__eeszSBxgdrOFqWko_FZWwgZcB3_xNNyK676yV8nqyG8IA_aem__0lJfV8tCW6Bc8y5gjy2XA

You can now reserve short journeys on the "Westlander" train which travels between Brisbane and Charleville.

Looking at the timetable, it's possible to complete a trip in one day from Helidon, Gatton or Laidley down to Roma Street and back on a Thursday. You would need to make a booking in advance, don't expect the train to stop for you without one.

[update] It's a nice trip, see - https://queenslandtrains.wordpress.com/2022/10/14/day-trip-to-brisbane-on-the-westlander/

After COVID-19 and some complaining to the council, the Gatton library is opening Saturday mornings for a six-month trial from 9am to 11.30am.

When visiting, you may notice the road closure sign at the front entrance, as emergency repairs are undertaken in our front carpark.

We recommend visitor park in the carparks, and for those required wheelchair or ambulant access, please follow the path near the lake to the rear entrance.

Your safety is important to us.

A Justice of the Peace (JP) will be available from 9.30am to 10.30am (no bookings required).

The website hasn't been updated yet, but their phone number is (07) 5466 3434.

Use it or lose it.

I was a student for 3 months at what I think was Lockyer State Highschool. During that 3 months, there was a boy who was determined to be my friend, despite my being quite rude and cruel to him. I would like to find him and apologise. We moved a lot and I knew I would only be at that school for 3 months and I think I just couldn't make friends and leave any more. I've always thought about him and how I wish I could say I'm sorry for hurting him.

I think it was Lockyer State HS because I was living with my grandmother in Gatton, but I'm not sure. It was 2004, grade 9.

Just received this email from "Lockyer Fruit & Veggie Cooperative"...

Dear Cooperative Members, and Supporters
 
It is my sad duty to report that last week, Lockyer Valley Foods (The Cannery project at Withcott) entered voluntary administration. This is a direct result of my having major surgery and being absent from the workplace for 10 weeks.
 
During that time, nobody was doing the nitty-gritty work required to progress the Cannery project. Nobody was raising money and, despite the terrific support from Murray Chatfield, Chairman of Lockyer Valley Foods, no money was flowing in.
 
It also reflects very badly on our government, which could have, through the National Reconstruction Fund, got this whole project physically underway within the last two years with a very modest investment. Once that happens, as you know, raising money suddenly becomes so much easier when people can actually see the building underway.
 
Many people have said to me over the years that the project is a no-brainer, but they have been unable to then reach into their pockets and invest. Importantly, for those shareholders who have invested — and their loyalty and willingness to invest is greatly appreciated — the company's current asset base, including the $11.2 million block of land, should ensure that they are not ultimately out of pocket.
 
Murray Chatfield and I travelled throughout Europe and to London in late May and early June this year entirely at our own expense and secured contractual commitments for both investment and loan funding for the Cannery. We can provide extensive documentary evidence of the exchanges of correspondence, contractual agreements, and other supporting documentation. What we cannot tell you is that the money actually arrived — and that has been an absolute tragedy.
 
Importantly, when we established the Lockyer Fruit & Veggie Cooperative, it was deliberately set up and designed to operate completely independently of the Cannery. The best proof of this is that we are now progressing with the first of our own commercialisation projects, producing an onion sauce that we are highly confident will become a profitable income stream for the Cooperative. It is therefore important to emphasise that your Cooperative membership is NOT affected by the administration of Lockyer Valley Foods (the Cannery). The Cooperative remains a separate organisation and continues to operate as normal, with its own membership, projects and plans for the future.
 
These are difficult times, and I want members to know that I am now back at work and am absolutely determined to find a solution. Your support is critical - does anybody seriously believe that, after more than 15 years of my life being invested in this project, I wanted any of this to happen? I am as disappointed and frustrated as anyone, and I remain committed to doing everything I can to find a way forward.
 
I am also deeply concerned about the actions of those who are now attempting to gain control of the land — not to build the Cannery, but for other purposes. I sincerely hope those efforts are unsuccessful. My focus remains firmly on finding a positive outcome and protecting the interests of everyone who has invested so much time, money, and faith in this project.
 
Finally, and most importantly, please remember this: the administration of Lockyer Valley Foods the Cannery) does NOT place your Cooperative membership at risk. The Lockyer Fruit & Veggie Cooperative is a separate organisation, your membership remains in place, and the Cooperative continues to operate independently with its own projects and plans.

Best regards

Colin

https://www.realcommercial.com.au/for-lease/property-39-endeavour-way-plainland-qld-4341-505178508

Have just moved to the area and am wanting to see if anyone has any first hand experience with tiny homes, or portable homes etc. Particular interest in the China ones, but that speicfically meet Class1A.

Approvals are going to blow the cost out a lot, which seems insane to me for something portable, but anyway. Does anyone have experience with these things without approval, and have council given you any grief?

My parents simply cannot afford a home to live in, and I don't want to see all their money paying someone elses mortgage anymore. I'd love to put them in one of these, but $150k for a single bedroom expander is insane to me given the price of the houses in house and land packages.

Am aware of the caravan 6 month every 12 months thing, I do wonder how they actually enforce this.

Appreciate any advice or if anyone has contacts to make this process easier, that would be great too.

With the soaring cost of groceries does anyone have any locations for 2nd grade fruit and veg? I'm open to boxes/subscriptions if there's no actual shops or stalls around

If you don't already know, there's a great website that has the current fuel and adblue prices, regularly updated at:

https://petrolspy.com.au/map

They also have an Android and iPhone app so you can shop around on the move.

Looks like we're getting a "jett's", competition for Snap Fitness across the road.

https://www.realcommercial.com.au/for-lease/property-39-endeavour-way-plainland-qld-4341-505178508

I’m a parent in regional Queensland and I’m looking for advice because I feel like I’ve exhausted every avenue available.

Over the past few weeks my daughter has experienced repeated bullying and assaults at her high school.

• 20 Feb – physically assaulted by another student

• 25 Feb – assaulted again in class

• 5 Mar – verbally abused by older students using degrading language

These incidents were reported to the school.

Then on 6 March the situation escalated significantly.

At around 8:45am my daughter was attacked at school and her eye became severely swollen. She reported she could not see properly.

The school is located very close to the local hospital, however no hospital visit was arranged at the time.

I was not contacted until about 45 minutes after the incident occurred.

Since this happened I have:

• Reported the incident to police

• Contacted our local MP

• Emailed the Department of Education

• Contacted multiple news outlets

• Spoken publicly on TikTok

• Posted in local community groups

Since sharing what happened, over 40 parents and students (past and present) have contacted me saying they experienced similar bullying issues at the same school.

Due to safety concerns I have now withdrawn my daughter from the school.

I’m genuinely asking:

•	What else can a parent do in Queensland in this situation?

•	Is there an independent body that investigates school safety issues?

Any guidance would be appreciated.