Acceleration of critical minerals projects
Queensland is seeking to fast track strategically significant projects through the State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 (Qld) (the Bill).
The Bill is the latest step in Queensland’s broader push to attract critical minerals investment and accelerate major project delivery. Consistent with the Queensland Government’s recently released Delivering Queensland’s Critical Minerals Future 2026-30 strategy, the reforms seek to accelerate project development by addressing approval delays through expanded coordination and facilitation powers.
Critical Minerals Bill: what proponents need to know
The Bill proposes significant amendments to the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (Qld) to ‘modernise and improve’ Queensland’s framework for major project delivery.
While driven in part by the Government’s critical minerals agenda, the reforms would introduce a broader statutory framework for facilitating projects considered strategically important to the State across the resources and heavy industrial sectors.
Key reforms include:
- a framework for declaring State strategic projects;
- State significance notices and modification orders;
- compulsory acquisition and enabling works powers;
- expanded strategic infrastructure easement powers; and
- broader project facilitation and coordination mechanisms.
For project proponents, the practical significance of the Bill lies not in its policy rationale, but in the new statutory powers that become available once a project is declared a State strategic project. This article examines the proposed State strategic project declaration framework and the key powers and facilitation mechanisms that may become available once a declaration is made.
State strategic projects: a new pathway for priority projects
A project may be declared a State strategic project where the Minister is satisfied that it is critical or essential to Queensland for economic, environmental or social reasons, or is likely to make a significant contribution to the State’s economic, environmental or social objectives.
The criteria are deliberately broad. As the Explanatory Memorandum notes, significance may arise from direct benefits such as investment, employment and environmental outcomes, as well as a project’s broader strategic importance to Queensland.
For proponents, the real significance of the declaration is that it unlocks the Bill’s principal project facilitation powers directed at overcoming approval, infrastructure and delivery constraints, including:
- State significance notices and modification orders;
- compulsory acquisition powers;
- enabling works powers; and
- expanded strategic infrastructure easement powers.
We consider some of the more significant powers below.
1. State significance notices
One of the Bill’s most significant reforms is the introduction of State significance notices. Available only for State strategic projects, these notices allow the Minister to intervene in specified approval processes and provide guidance that must be taken into account by the relevant decision-maker.
Decision-makers must consult with the Minister, consider matters identified in the notice and take into account any further advice provided during the decision-making process.
The reforms have the potential to broaden the matters that may be considered in key approval decisions, while strengthening whole-of-government coordination for strategically significant projects. In doing so, they provide Government with a more direct role in shaping approval outcomes for projects of strategic importance to Queensland.
Importantly, where a decision approves part of a State strategic project, the Bill also limits third party merits review rights, although proponents retain the ability to challenge approval conditions.
2. Compulsory acquisition and enabling works powers
The Bill introduces significant new powers aimed at addressing barriers to project delivery, particularly where access to land or the timing of supporting works may affect project progress.
The compulsory acquisition reforms would expand the circumstances in which land may be acquired to support State strategic projects, helping to overcome delays associated with securing land required for project infrastructure and supporting works.
The Bill also introduces enabling works powers intended to support the delivery of State strategic projects and associated infrastructure. The reforms are designed to provide greater flexibility in progressing supporting works required for project development.
Project proponents
While the Bill does not remove substantive approval requirements, it introduces new mechanisms intended to improve the coordination and delivery of strategically significant projects. For proponents of major resources, processing and associated infrastructure projects, the reforms may deliver:
- greater whole-of-government coordination;
- earlier identification and resolution of project barriers;
- improved alignment across approval processes;
- greater certainty regarding approval pathways and timeframes; and
- enhanced government support for strategically significant projects.
Whether these outcomes are ultimately realised will depend on how the new powers are exercised in practice. However, the Bill represents a significant expansion of the State’s ability to facilitate project delivery and coordinate approvals for projects considered strategically important to Queensland.
Looking ahead
The Bill was referred to the Primary Industries and Resources Committee for consideration, with stakeholder consultation including a public hearing in Mackay on 14 July 2026. The inquiry received submissions from individuals, industry bodies, regional development organisations, local governments, agricultural and landholder groups, environmental organisations and professional bodies.
While industry and regional development groups generally supported the Bill’s objectives, many submitters raised concerns regarding increased ministerial discretion, reduced appeal rights, compulsory acquisition powers, public participation and potential impacts on environmental, agricultural and cultural interests.
Following its review, the committee concluded that any departures from fundamental legislative principles and limitations on human rights were justified and proportionate to the Bill’s objectives. The committee made a single recommendation: that the Bill be passed.
When enacted, the Bill will significantly expand the State’s ability to influence, coordinate and facilitate the delivery of strategically significant projects. For project proponents, securing State strategic project status may become a key consideration in navigating Queensland’s approval landscape and unlocking new pathways to project delivery – reach out to our Project Approvals team for further guidance.