The Queensland government has introduced new legislation aimed at accelerating the development of critical minerals and energy projects.
The State Development and Public Works Organisation Critical Minerals and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 was tabled in Parliament as part of broader efforts to streamline project approvals and improve coordination for large-scale developments.
The bill is designed to enhance the state’s ability to manage state-significant projects by reducing regulatory duplication and aligning assessment processes across agencies.
It also seeks to support infrastructure planning, particularly for projects linked to resource extraction and energy production, which remain central to Queensland’s economy.
Queensland is currently Australia’s largest gas-producing state, supplying around 70 per cent of the east coast domestic market.
Gas from the Surat and Bowen basins underpins electricity generation, manufacturing, and liquefied natural gas exports from Gladstone, which hosts three major LNG facilities.
These exports contribute billions of dollars annually to the national economy and position Australia among the world’s leading LNG exporters alongside Qatar and the United States.
Industry has welcomed the legislation as a step toward improving investment certainty at a time when east coast gas supply remains under pressure.
Demand for gas continues to rise due to its role in firming renewable energy generation and supporting industrial operations such as alumina refining, fertiliser production, and food processing.
The Australian Energy Market Operator has repeatedly highlighted the risk of structural gas shortfalls in southern states from the late 2020s without new supply.
The Queensland government has increasingly positioned itself as a leader in enabling new gas developments, particularly as policy settings in other jurisdictions have become more restrictive.
Victoria maintains a ban on onshore conventional gas exploration, while New South Wales has faced prolonged approval timelines for major projects such as the Narrabri Gas Project.
These constraints have shifted attention toward Queensland as a key source of future supply.
Emerging basins such as the Taroom Trough in the Bowen Basin are attracting growing interest from explorers and producers.
Early assessments suggest the region holds significant untapped gas resources, with potential to support both domestic consumption and LNG exports.
Development of these resources, however, depends heavily on timely approvals, infrastructure access, and regulatory clarity.
The new legislation also aligns with Queensland’s broader critical minerals strategy, which aims to capitalise on global demand for resources such as copper, vanadium, and rare earth elements used in renewable technologies and battery storage.
The state has committed funding to develop critical minerals processing hubs and strengthen supply chain capabilities.
By refining approval pathways and reinforcing coordination between government agencies, the bill is expected to reduce project delays and provide clearer timelines for investors.
This approach reflects increasing competition among jurisdictions globally to attract capital for energy and resource developments, particularly as countries balance emissions reduction targets with energy security requirements.
The legislation will now proceed through parliamentary review, with consultation expected to continue between government, industry, and community stakeholders as Queensland seeks to maintain its position as a leading energy and resources hub.
