Northern Rivers Land Buyers Group

Questions and Answers

Please email your questions so I can answer them and share them with everyone here

04/07/2020
Q. Just wondering if the QLD first home buyers grant is accessible with this? Also this new HomeBuilders grant?
A. No. it’s a shared rural land purchase as part of a group. Group ownership of all land with 5 acres each of exclusive use area.

24/06/2020
Q. Security is the biggest question around moneys deposits whole payments etc
A. As it is for us all. As stated repeatedly already moneys would be held in trust with a solicitor (yet to be appointed). I don’t envisage calling for security deposits. I do envisage finding the right property, clarifying all legality around the can and can’t do’s on the property, having group inspections on the property, having meetings and discussion around these things, preparing a set of by-laws and a constitution (legally guided) and once that is all set in stone we’ll then ask for full payments from all interested parties. I do know this will not be a suitable investment for everyone and it’s not meant to be. But the rewards for the money invested I believe to be significant and therefore very worthwhile for those where this project matches.

24/06/2020
Q. Consider the Council regulations and approval to build and live in a shed for the first 5 years and must have the ability for power/water to the living quarters.
A. I’m hoping a shed should be fine. It’s fine to have sheds on rural acreage - but living in might be different. This is all to be discussed with a town planner / lawyer / council to ensure we all know where we stand. Then it’s up to each of us what we do with our lots. Albeit whatever the laws are will have to form part of our by-laws / constitution also. This will always be an off-grid (no town power) investment. I won’t be buying a property without access to permanent water. I will be recommending all near permanent living lot owners install tanks to suffice their normal usage (if just using for camping this would be redundant). Rainwater is one source of water for tanks but access to property water would require irrigation pipes which I would hope as a community we could help each other in digging trenches (back hoe) and laying irrigation piping etc. I’m fine with doing this work on my own - but more hands make light work. This will form an important part of ongoing discussion at our meetings. I state again that this is not a tradition (EXPENSIVE) development of lots with town power and water and ability to build a house on a slab - that is a whole different price bracket!

24/06/2020
Q. Just wanted to know who will be clearing the land for each owner.
(within reason of course...) gaining access to each allotment?
A. I’m not a developer. Some shareholders will want a cleared lot - others will want a bushy treed lot - others (like me will want a mix). I’m entering this situation as an equal group member. I do envisage some communal equipment to be shared by all shareholders (chainsaw, tractor, trailer, maybe a backhoe). So some ability for self clearing will be possible (within danger limits). Ideally I’m hoping we can have a property where the lots to be allocated will be mostly cleared already. A lot of land for sale has cleared land space and heavily vegetated spaces. We will be ensuring access is available by a common road to each lot. It will be a gravel road I expect but to be discussed.

23/06/2020
Q. I have concerns at distance would prefer within half an hour of border. Plenty of choices to consider north within an hour of Gympie may be worth considering. Would prefer something with a smaller group managing. Lots of ideas, had this stuff in my head for years.
A. I’m looking at two properties this week. One is 2.5 hours from Brisbane and one is 2 hours from Brisbane. I’m drawn personally to the Northern Rivers Region. I grew up in the area and have camped and travelled around the region quiet a lot. It is one of the most beautify regions in the world with large mountain ranges, dense rainforest and bush areas, good rainfall, fertile soils and general abundant nature. BUT having said that I know there is similar north of Brisbane also and I’m very keen if anyone has a property they have identified as possibly suitable to send it across to me to investigate further with you. My guidelines as a baseline are - Within 3 hours drive of Brisbane City (check google maps against address for travel time), A large property of minimum 250 acres, Permanent Water (Spring or Permanent Creek / River water access), and generally a beautiful property. Preferably with some cleared areas and some native bushland areas / rainforest.

Regarding a smaller group managing. Yes that may then rule you out of this group if you are looking for a large allotment with few investors as this would mean a larger investment by each shareholder which will put it out of reach of some (including myself currently).

22/06/2020
Q. We would need to know what limitations there are on building or developing on our 5 acres.
A. To keep the cost of this venture down and therefore make it possible for the target investment by all shareholders the development for a live in residence will be limited to non-fixed premises. This will not be a traditional development of titled lots with access to power, sewerage, streets and lighting etc. It will be a minimalistic style living. As I'm aware at the moment the following should be OK - Converted Shipping Container, Shed, Caravan, Bus, (pretty much anything with wheels, and all your regular camping and temporary construction. I'm intentionally keeping this low key to minimise the investment required and still achieve the dream of land ownership with off-grid living. There will be much more to come on this once I have the solicitor or town planner advice. But this is the advice provided from other similar investment land buyers groups. If you are hoping for somewhere to build a traditional home with a concrete slab then this is not for you.

22/06/2020
Q. Is $30,000 going to be full price?
A. Yes that is the target (for each shareholder). It all depends on how many shareholders we have ready to move forward once a suitable property is secured. At this time I'm looking at a property where $30,000 with 16 shareholders would see each shareholder with a 5 acre exclusive use area PLUS a communal land of 170 to 180 acres AND a communal fund of approx. $50,000 for purchasing costs (legals, council, initial minor infrastructure) and communal equipment.
Of course there will be shared rates and shared expenses for the property. I have in mind an annual levy of $1000 for each shareholder for communal property & equipment maintenance, rates and sundry. If at any stage the "communal fund" big enough we'd reduce these fees. I have in mind a communal approach to this where we can all discuss and vote on communal expenses to manage the property forever more.
A final important point to make here is that the land will be purchased as "tenants in common" with a exclusive use area for each shareholder. This will be fully legal entitlement that you can include in your will to ensure your investment can be transferred or sold on whenever you wish. The legal structure will also need to be tight to ensure that any wrong-doing by any individual shareholder does not put anyone else's investment at risk.

22/06/2020
Q. Would it be nearer to Brisbane CBD, i.e. 1.5 hour drive? (not really critical but we have tried to go to place like Inglewood - 3 hour drive and found it is too far for a weekend get-a-way), perhaps drive toward Gold Coast via Pacific highway will be much more pleasant.
A. The reason we need to go that far is because I’m looking for a getaway - not an urban or built up environment. Something with as much bush or rainforest hopefully as possible. Like a natural reserve or something that can be built into one. Yes will need some cleared land also and the exclusive use area of each owner can be cleared or bush - up to the shareholder how they want their lot (mostly anyway). There is nothing that really fits that bill - certainly within budget at the 1.5 hour travel mark. I’m trying to keep it to 2.5 hours which is about the limit to get it down to at this time. Based on limited properties of 200 acres and over I’m considering up to 3 hours is acceptable (but 2.5 hours preferred) (2 hours if someone can find something 200 acres plus under a million dollars we’ll certainly look at it). Remember we need permanent water also.

22/06/2020
Q. Would it be possible to build/ bring in a Queenslander to the exclusive lot? - or perhaps a jointly-owned house to be used as club-house with storage for the join owners?
A. Yes this might be an option. I was thinking of a communal shed (keeps costs down) for storage of shared equipment (tractor / slasher / grader and other equipment). Also a communal “fire pit area” for the community to use / gather around for meetings etc. Now that’s how you have a get together - around a fire.

22/06/2020
Q. Can we be close to water bodies/ creek/ river/lake for water activities like fishing/kayaking.
A. Large water areas again are great and sought after. Can be expensive to get something with a lake in it. But I’m looking for something at least with a permanent creek, spring and / or some dams. Where the land will be will be close for people to travel to all sorts of outdoor activities including fishing rivers etc. but getting that on our land might be out of budget. I can see the benefit and want for such a thing on the land and if someone see’s something that fits the brief (bushland / 200 acres bare minimum / 2.5 to 3 hours from Brisbane CBD) then please forward me the details so we can look at it for consideration.