The Queensland government has introduced new legislation to Parliament designed to fast-track the development of Queensland’s critical minerals sector and streamline approvals for major economic ventures.
The State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 modernises laws dating back to 1971.
Under the reforms, high-priority ventures will be declared State Strategic Projects, granting them faster regulatory pathways and greater investment certainty while maintaining strict environmental standards.
The fast-track mechanism targets critical mineral extraction alongside other major industries, including ecotourism. The reforms also focus on upgrading key enabling infrastructure, such as roads, power line easements, and water pipelines, crucial for regional resource communities.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Jarrod Bleijie, declared Queensland open for business on the global stage, positioning the state to capitalise on international demand driven by defence, vehicle electrification, and the AI boom.
“We’re sending a clear message to the resources, critical minerals, even tourism sectors, as well as communities – Queensland welcomes projects that create jobs, support regional communities and strengthen our economy,” Bleijie said.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Dale Last, highlighted the North West Minerals Province as a hub for upcoming supply chain opportunities, pointing to advanced ventures like Graphinex’s Esmeralda graphite project, Vecco’s vanadium project, and the Sugarbag Hill quartz sand project.
“Queensland’s resources are world-class and we are well on the way to putting our state on the map as a critical minerals investment destination,” Last said.
Industry bodies have strongly backed the changes. Queensland Resources Council (QRC) CEO, Janette Hewson, said the Bill will support projects that bring more investment to the state.
“Timely approvals that get new projects to production faster are a key consideration for investors,” Hewson said, noting the resources sector contributed over AU$115 billion to the economy and supported nearly 550,000 local jobs last financial year.
“This Bill is a major step toward a more streamlined, coordinated approvals system cutting duplication, improving certainty for proponents, and accelerating projects of state importance,” she added.
Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) CEO, Warren Pearce, emphasised that the coordination of infrastructure outside the mine gates, such as rail and ports, is often what determines whether a remote project succeeds.
“For many critical minerals projects, particularly in regional and remote areas, access to well-coordinated infrastructure is often the difference between a project proceeding or stalling.
“Better planning and alignment will give greater certainty and help projects move from discovery to production faster.”
