The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the Queensland government’s decision to release more land for gas exploration, describing it as a crucial move to support sector growth and ensure energy security along Australia’s east coast.
The announcement, made by Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last, will see nine new areas opened for gas exploration across the Cooper/Eromanga and Bowen/Surat Basins.
This initiative is designed to boost future gas supply, providing much-needed certainty for Queensland gas producers.
QRC Chief Executive Officer Janette Hewson praised the government’s approach, highlighting the council’s ongoing advocacy for increased land releases.
“QRC, through its exploration arm the Queensland Exploration Council, has been advocating to government that more land be released for exploration to unlock more supply of gas into Queensland and the east coast,” Hewson said.
The government also announced a three-month land release review, which aims to give gas producers greater certainty about tenures and reduce the risk of overlapping exploration claims.
This move is expected to streamline the approvals process and help projects transition more quickly from exploration to production.
Hewson emphasised the vital role gas will play in Australia’s energy transition, noting that both the Australian and Queensland governments have acknowledged its importance.
“The land release can unlock the vast gas reserves in Queensland’s Cooper Eromanga and Bowen Surat Basins that will contribute to reliable and affordable energy that homeowners and businesses are looking for,” she said.
Industry analysts have pointed to looming supply shortfalls in southern Australia from 2028, with new supply investments urgently needed to maintain market adequacy.
Queensland’s gas sector, which contributed over $17 billion to the state’s economy and supported 73,000 local jobs in 2024, is seen as pivotal in meeting these challenges.
The QRC has called for continued collaboration with the government to further streamline regulatory processes and ensure Queensland remains a leader in sustainable gas development.
The council believes that increasing supply is the most effective way to bring down energy prices and deliver benefits to both industry and households.
