Compulsory Land Acquisition & Resumption Lawyers Sunshine Coast

Has the government told you it needs your land?

A proposed road, rail line, intersection, infrastructure corridor or public project can suddenly turn a property you have owned for years into a line on somebody else's project plan.

Sometimes the whole property is required.

Sometimes it is only a strip along the boundary.

Sometimes the authority wants an easement.

And sometimes only a relatively small area is being acquired but the effect on the rest of your property can be significant.

Good Law QLD assists Sunshine Coast landowners affected by compulsory acquisition, land resumption and negotiated acquisition by government authorities.

We can help you understand:

• what is actually being proposed;
• whether you can object;
• what happens if only part of your land is resumed;
• how compensation is assessed;
• what losses may be recoverable;
• whether the authority's valuation properly reflects the impact on your property;
• what professional evidence may be required; and
• what happens if compensation cannot be agreed.

You do not have to navigate a resumption on your own.

TALK TO A LAND ACQUISITION LAWYER

Your Property Is More Than the Area Being Taken

One of the most important issues in a compulsory acquisition is often not simply, “What is the square metre value of the land they want?”

The real question may be, “What does taking this land do to everything I have left?”

A partial acquisition can potentially affect:

• access to the property;
• road frontage;
• visibility;
• vehicle movements;
• development potential;
• the practical use of the balance land;
• the shape and configuration of the property;
• farming or commercial operations;
• parking and loading;
• privacy;
• amenity;
• existing improvements;
• future development opportunities; and
• ultimately, the value of the land that remains.

Queensland's Acquisition of Land Act 1967 expressly requires compensation assessment to consider not only the value of the land taken, but also damage caused by severing the acquired land from the claimant's other land and damage caused to the remaining land through the exercise of statutory powers.

That is why a compulsory acquisition claim should rarely be approached as a simple calculation of area × land value.

Received a Notice of Intention to Resume?

The clock may already be running.

A Notice of Intention to Resume, often called an NIR, is the formal commencement of the compulsory acquisition process under the Acquisition of Land Act 1967.

The notice must identify the land proposed to be taken and the purpose for which it is required. It must also give the affected person at least 30 days from the date of the notice to lodge a written objection.

If you have received an NIR, we recommend obtaining advice promptly.

An objection is not simply an opportunity to say that you do not want to lose the land.

The grounds need to be properly identified and supported by the relevant facts and circumstances.

Importantly, the amount of compensation is not a valid ground of objection under the Act. We can assist you to:

• review the NIR and acquisition plans;
• identify exactly what land or interest is proposed to be taken;
• investigate the stated public purpose;
• consider the impact upon the balance of your property;
• advise whether there are proper grounds for objection;
• prepare a written objection;
• represent you at an objection hearing where appropriate; and
• negotiate with the acquiring authority.

I'VE RECEIVED A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO RESUME

Relevant legislation: Acquisition of Land Act 1967 (Qld).

What If They Want to Buy My Property by Agreement?

Compulsory acquisition does not always begin with a formal resumption notice.

Government agencies may approach landowners seeking to acquire land by agreement, and Transport and Main Roads confirm that in some circumstances property required for future transport projects may be acquired early through negotiated contracts of sale.

There can be advantages to reaching agreement.

But an agreement should be considered in the context of the rights you may otherwise have under the compulsory acquisition regime.

Before signing, it is important to understand:

• exactly what is being acquired;
• whether the proposed price reflects the property's proper value;
• whether the acquisition affects the value of land you retain;
• whether additional compensation or costs should be addressed;
• access and construction impacts;
• relocation issues;
• timing for possession;
• taxation and transaction issues;
• easements or other rights required over the property; and
• whether agreeing to the acquisition affects any other procedural rights.

Good Law QLD can deal directly with the acquiring authority and its representatives on your behalf.

What Compensation Can I Claim for a Land Resumption?

Compensation is not necessarily limited to the market value of the portion of land actually acquired. Depending on the circumstances, a compensation claim under Queensland law may take into account:

Value of the land taken

The value of the claimant's estate or interest in the acquired land is assessed as at the date the land is taken.

Severance

Where only part of your property is taken, compensation may include damage resulting from that part being separated from the balance of your land.

Impact on the remaining property

The exercise of statutory powers associated with the project may also adversely affect the claimant's remaining land and be relevant to compensation.

Disturbance costs

The Act recognises a range of reasonable costs and economic losses arising as a direct consequence of the acquisition.

Depending upon the circumstances, these can include:

• reasonable legal costs associated with preparing and filing the compensation claim;
• valuation and other professional fees;
• certain replacement-property costs;
• removal and storage costs;
• utility reconnection costs;
• some mortgage and financial costs;
• business interruption and loss of profits; and
• other economic losses directly and naturally caused by the acquisition.

The proper assessment of compensation can therefore require considerably more than simply accepting the acquiring authority's valuation of the land being resumed.

Relevant legislation: Acquisition of Land Act 1967 (Qld).

Partial Property Resumptions

“They're only taking a little bit” does not necessarily mean the impact is little.

Partial resumptions are particularly important on the Sunshine Coast.

A road widening may take only the front portion of a property. A rail corridor may cut through one side of a larger holding.

An infrastructure project might require an easement rather than ownership of the entire parcel.

But the consequences can extend considerably beyond the boundaries shown on the acquisition plan.

For example, losing part of a property could alter:

• driveway access;
• turning areas;
• setbacks;
• landscaping or screening;
• development yield;
• subdivision potential;
• commercial functionality;
• agricultural operations; or
• the relationship between existing improvements and property boundaries.

This is where experienced legal advice working alongside an appropriately qualified valuer, town planner, surveyor, engineer or other expert can become particularly important.

Good Law QLD's planning, environment and property law experience means we can look at the acquisition not merely as a compensation exercise, but in the context of what the resumption actually does to your land.

That distinction matters.

Sunshine Coast Land Resumptions and Infrastructure Projects

The Sunshine Coast is experiencing substantial transport and infrastructure investment.

The Wave is a major Sunshine Coast transport project. TMR describes a rail connection from Beerwah to Birtinya, with planned stations including Bells Creek (Aura), Caloundra, Aroona and Birtinya, connecting with a metro-style service towards the airport. Preliminary works are underway. Project designs, funding and delivery arrangements can change, so check TMR’s current information rather than relying on a fixed construction date.

Other major transport projects across the region include the Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade, the West Coolum Road interchange, and works and planning associated with the Beerburrum to Nambour rail corridor.

Major infrastructure is important for a growing region.

But when infrastructure requires privately owned land, the individual property owner also has rights that need to be protected.

Good Law QLD is based on the Sunshine Coast. We understand the local property, development and planning landscape and can assist owners whose properties are affected by proposed infrastructure.

Read: The Wave Sunshine Coast — land resumption and compensation

Project information checked 8 September 2026. Sources: TMR project overview and rail project information.

We Can Assist at Every Stage

You do not need to wait until your land has formally been resumed.

We can assist when you have:

Received an initial approach from an authority

We can explain what the correspondence means and what may happen next.

Been approached about an early or negotiated acquisition

We can review the proposal and negotiate terms on your behalf.

Received a Notice of Intention to Resume

We can advise on the proposal, your objection rights and the relevant deadline.

Been offered compensation

We can consider the offer alongside valuation and other expert evidence.

Had only part of your property resumed

We can investigate the effect on your remaining land and potential heads of compensation.

Suffered business or relocation losses

We can help identify and document potentially compensable disturbance losses.

Been unable to agree compensation

The Land Court has jurisdiction to determine compensation disputes under the Act.

Your Compensation Claim

After land is taken, a formal compensation claim generally needs to identify the claimant's interest in the land and provide an itemised statement of each component of compensation claimed. Under the Act, a claim ordinarily must be served within three years after the land is taken, although there are provisions dealing with late claims in some circumstances.

Getting the claim right matters.

We can coordinate the legal claim with evidence from appropriately qualified experts, which may include:

• registered valuers;
• town planners;
• surveyors;
• accountants;
• engineers;
• quantity surveyors; and
• other specialists relevant to the particular property.

The goal is to ensure that the claim reflects the real impact of the acquisition, not simply the physical size of the area being taken.

Relevant legislation: Acquisition of Land Act 1967 (Qld).

What If We Cannot Agree on Compensation?

Many compulsory acquisition matters are resolved through negotiation.

Where compensation cannot be agreed, however, either the claimant or constructing authority may refer the amount of compensation to the Land Court of Queensland for determination in accordance with the Acquisition of Land Act 1967.

Good Law QLD can assist with:

• compensation negotiations;
• preparation of the compensation claim;
• expert evidence;
• Land Court proceedings;
• conferences and mediation;
• hearing preparation; and
• representation through the dispute process.

Our focus remains the same throughout: a practical outcome that properly recognises what the acquisition has cost you.

Frequently asked questions about land resumption in Queensland

Your land. Your business. Your future.

A resumption notice can feel like the decision has already been made and there is nothing left for the owner to do.

That is not the whole picture.

There may be issues concerning the acquisition itself, the area required, access, the effect on the remaining land, valuation, disturbance losses, timing and compensation.

Those issues can have significant financial consequences.

If your property may be affected by a Sunshine Coast road, rail, or infrastructure project, speak with us early.

Good Law QLD

Compulsory Acquisition & Land Resumption Lawyers Sunshine Coast, Queensland

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Information on this page is general information only and is not legal advice. The appropriate advice and next steps depend on your circumstances.