In what is believed to be an Australian first, the Lockyer Valley Regional Council has unveiled its master plan to relocate residents from the flood devastated community of Grantham to safer ground. The unprecedented deal between Council and the community will give residents from the townships of Grantham, Murphys Creek, Postmans Ridge, Withcott and Helidon the option to move to higher ground as part of a voluntary land swap initiative.
The master plan also includes a significant investment in new community infrastructure in Grantham including constructing a new community centre, memorial parklands, show grounds and a Grantham Village Market Place in the heart of the town.
Residents participating in the voluntary land swap will relocate to a new, 935 acre land parcel located adjacent to the Grantham township and outside the flood zone. Council will invest an estimated $30 to $40 million in developing the site over a number of years under the new community master plan.
Lockyer Valley Mayor Steve Jones said the release of the final master plan, together with details of the historic land swap arrangement, was an important step forward in the long road to recovery for the Lockyer Valley community.
“The township of Grantham became the single most devastated community of the January Queensland floods,” he said. “Lives were lost and many homes destroyed or damaged beyond repair.
“The idea of a voluntary community land swap was formed a week after the flooding in January and we have worked in close consultation with the residents of Grantham to develop a master plan that will form a robust and sustainable foundation for generations to come.
“This has been an enormous effort and, with the outstanding support of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, we’ve been able to create a master plan in just four months that would normally take developers up to two years.
“This gives residents the chance to rebuild within their community, while remaining outside the flood zone – providing peace of mind and protection from any possible future flood events. Based on our current schedule, the first families will be able to relocate to their new homes by Christmas.”
