Strategic Projects Bill welcomed by Queensland resources sector

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) welcomes a Bill introduced to Parliament by the State Government to reduce approval timeframes for strategic projects, including critical minerals.

QRC Chief Executive Officer Janette Hewson said the State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 will support projects that bring more investment and economic benefits to our state.

“This Bill is a practical approach to encouraging new resources projects while maintaining Queensland’s strict environmental and regulatory standards,” Ms Hewson said.

“It aligns with QRC advocacy to streamline the approvals process to remove excessive regulation and duplication that delays critical new resources projects.

“Queensland will be better positioned to unlock the critical minerals for Australia’s reserves and for our key trading partners around the world.

“Critical minerals provide the resources needed to power our future demands for electrification, defence, new technologies and AI.

“There is significant interest in Queensland’s emerging critical minerals sector that relies on streamlined approvals and the right investment settings.

“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.

“It will help unlock investment and fast-track the transition from exploration to production for resource projects including critical minerals.

“That means more jobs, especially in our regions, and more economic benefits that flow to all Queenslanders.

“The community can remain confident that Queensland’s resources sector continues to operate in line with Queensland’s highest environmental standards. This is about making approval pathways more efficient by removing duplication and unnecessary delays in approval processing.”

In 2024-25 the resources sector contributed more than $115 billion and supported nearly 550,000 local jobs last financial year, illustrating its significance to Queensland’s prosperity.

Media Contact:

Matt Dunstan – [email protected]