It’s an all too familiar story – suburban encroachment subsuming rural farming land. What is not familiar about the Scott family at Ripley was that they actually won the battle to retain their farm. Journalist, ROB MELLETT, with our sister newspaper, the IPSWICH TRIBUNE, has reported on their battle to stop their farm being resumed by the government since the beginning and now reports the win.
JOHN Scott says his birthday next month looks likely to be one of the happiest of his entire 79 years.
The farm owner has plenty to rejoice after the government walked back proposals to carve up the 131-year farm at Ripley for a school.
John received the announcement late last week that the 120ha farm would be saved after public anger over the decision and the family’s stoic defiance forced the government to review its plans.
“What an outcome, I didn’t expect it, it is one huge weight off our minds,” John said.
“I can finally walk down to the creek and look at those bloody big gum trees that were going to be destroyed and know that future generations will now get to enjoy them.
“The paddock beside us had matching trees in it, but they were all cleared by the Sekisui House [development] in a week, the whole lot went.
“Our father and grandfather, they’d be so proud to know that we’ve fought for this.”
Part of State Development Minister Grace Grace’s letter to the family last week read: “I have recently been advised that the Department of Education (DoE) has finalised consideration of this matter and has determined the Scott’s Farm site is not suitable as a school site.
“I therefore confirm that Scott’s Farm, Lot 178 on SP 141765 is no longer under applicable Development Charges and Offset Plan mapping.”
The farm is known for its historical and environmental significance and the family has shared it with community groups since the 1920s, with it now becoming a haven for wildlife.
John’s daughter, Belinda Lowe, said her dad called her at work and read out the letter from Ms Grace.
“I burst into floods of tears,” Belinda said.
“This outcome wouldn’t have been possible without the public’s support.”
The family’s life had been on hold since April 2022 when Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) sent the family a letter that read in part: “EDQ wish to advise that as part of [a] review, the strategic planning over your property is proposed to change, so invite you to research and as necessary provide a submission to EDQ … prior to the closing of the notification period on the April 8, 2022.”
A map of Ripley was included with the letter, which pictured Scott’s Farm with a yellow circle stamped over it, identifying the land for a primary school “subject to state agency acquisition”.
Their problems first began when their land was rezoned in 2007 and the council identified formal open space over Scott’s Farm as fit for development, but community anger forced that idea to be relocated to Swanbank.
Around 2010, the Queensland Government declared the Ripley Valley an Urban Development Area – now called a Priority Development Area (PDA).
Council’s master planning was then superseded by the State’s planning and decisions.
In 2022, Economic Development Queensland released a Development Charges and Offset Plan (DCOP) which included Scott’s Farm as a future school location.
John thanked the Ipswich Tribune for its coverage and support over the past two years.
“I’m so very grateful to the Ipswich Tribune because it is the only media outlet that put in the effort to support us.
“It has been a big thing the paper did to keep everyone informed.
“The Tribune has done a wonderful job in this respect, and we are so very grateful for that.
“I hope your newspaper keeps battling on for the community for many years to come.”
