Approvals Process
The continued development of Queensland’s resource wealth benefits the world, while generating enduring income and jobs for the state
QRC works on behalf of members to address deficiencies in the approval process that may inhibit new projects or cause unreasonable delays.
QRC works across all of Queensland’s different approval pathways, which are complex, lengthy and overlap and duplicate similar Federal processes.
QRC advocates a robust yet streamlined approval process for all resource projects. QRC advocates for reasonable and responsible regulatory outcomes that assesses projects on their merits – including social, cultural, economic and environmental values.
QRC is also working with government to ensure projects are not held up in the courts. The post-approval process is now the most complex and uncertain aspect of the approval process for a new resource development in Queensland.
To understand Queensland’s complex resources project approvals processes, click here.
Relevant Links
August 2020 | Resource project approval flowcharts
A series of flowcharts depicting Queensland's current resource project approval processes
June 2020 | Streamlining Report
A decade in review and reforms for supporting growth
October 2018| Duplication and Inefficiency in the Approval Process
Submission to the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy
Submission to the Resources 2030 Taskforce and Federal Minister for Resources
December 2016| Land Court Review
Submission to the Barry Walsh Associates, on behalf of the President of the Land Court
December 2016| Queensland Gas Supply and Demand Action Plan
Submission to the Resource Planning Team, Department of Natural Resources and Mines
September 2016| Tenure Reform Resource Authority Discussion Papers
Submission to the Tenure Reform Taskforce
Submission to the Senate Select Committee on Unconventional Gas Mining
October 2015| Innovative Resource Tenure Framework
Submission to the Tenure Reform Taskforce
August 2013| Review of Regulation of the Coal Seam Gas Industry
Submission to the Queensland Competition Authority
March 2013| Inquiry into Major Project Development Approval Processes
Submission to the Presiding Commissioner, Major Project Development Assessment Processes
October 2011| Government-Industry Implementation Group Report
Submission to the (then) Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
30 April 2010 | Supporting Resource Sector Growth
The final report of the Industry Working Group Review of Queensland's Exploration and Development Approval Processes
Regional Planning and Strategic Cropping
Traditionally, resources projects were not subject to planning laws, because the idea of creating zones for where future resources activities might occur did not gel with the reality of geology and exploration. So the approval process for a resources project includes a very careful consideration of the impact of the project through the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This considered a whole host of impacts – on other land uses, on the environment, on traffic, on neighbouring properties, on water, noise – the list of concerns that are considered is very extensive.
The Bligh Labor Government implemented the Strategic Cropping Land Act with the aim of protecting Queensland’s most productive soils. The Newman LNP Government replaced this Act with the Regional Planning Interests Act, which extended the protection for cropping soils as well as creating new exclusion zones for towns and environmental areas. The Palaszczuk Government introduced a plan for South East Queensland in 2017 which recognised 14% of the region as urban, 2% as rural living area and the balance of 84% Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area (RLRPA). Each of these three zones largely preclude new resource projects as “inappropriate development”.
The interaction of the Regional Planning Interests Act with existing planning laws and the existing environmental impact statement process is highly complex. The advent of new restrictions under teh Palaszczuk Government around Vegetation Management and Pristine/Wild Rivers further complicates the process of regulatory assessment. Like all stakeholders, the resources sector is still grappling to understand how all these pieces of the regulatory puzzle fit together.
Relevant Links
17 Jan 2014 | Inquiry into the Regional Planning Interests (RPI) Bill 2013
Submission to the State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee
23 Sept 2013 | Central Queensland and Darling Downs Regional Plans
Submission to the Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development Infrastructure and Planning