A parliamentary petition is now making the rounds to stop a school being built on a section of the Scott’s 130-year-old family farm at Ripley.
Thirty-nine acres of the farm is at risk of being resumed by the Queensland government.
The move would see this local family’s farm essentially cut in half with access to parts of the property blocked off, which would have a devastating impact on their livelihood.
The building of the school would also clear trees destroying remnant bushland for native plants and animals.
The historic property has been owned by the Scott family since 1893 and is a significant heritage site in Ipswich.
Six generations of the Scott family have lived on the farm.
Belinda Lowe, whose father John and Uncle Eric own the property, said that they have now begun a Parliamentary petition in an effort to garner support for their cause.
“Unfortunately, we launched a petition in 2022 on change.org.
“It got over 2,600 signatures but that petition carries little weight in Parliament so this petition we’ve launched in the last few weeks is a government petition and it will be presented to parliament and the Minister has to respond,”she said.
“So this is our best chance for the community to voice their support to save the farm,” Ms Lowe said.
Spokesperson Belinda Lowe said at present there’s still land available out in Ripley Valley for places for a school.
“There’s plenty of time for the state government to do the planning for other options then our farm,” she said
“We are trying to get as much interaction with the government department so that we are not in a position where Ripley Valley is built out and there is nowhere left to place a school,” she said.
The Scott family are planning to meet with the Department of Education and Economic Development Queensland this week.
The property, which is on the doorstep of Ecco Ripley and owned by Sekusui House, is earmarked for development in 2041.
The population of the area is expected to double in the next 20 years.
For details on the petition to Save Scott’s Farm click the following link https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=4066
