Queensland Changes Critical Mineral Approval Process to Fast-Track Projects

The Queensland government has revised its internal planning laws to expedite approvals for critical mineral projects. Recent changes consolidate the assessment of mines, processing plants, and ports into a single project, making the process less cumbersome. These amendments to the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act empower the Coordinator-General to declare and set conditions for ‘state significant projects.’

• Queensland government has overhauled internal planning laws for critical mineral projects.
• Mine, processing plant, and port will be assessed as one project.
• The new process is described as ‘less clunky’ and reduces stakeholder consultations.
• The Queensland Parliament amended the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act.
• The Coordinator-General can declare ‘state significant projects’ and set approval conditions.
• The federal House Standing Committee on Primary Industries is examining the social licence of critical minerals projects.