Queensland has passed new legislation aimed at accelerating investment in the state’s critical minerals sector, while attracting major projects and creating regional jobs.
The State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 will give the Queensland Government the tools to facilitate and streamline major projects while protecting agricultural land and landholder rights.
“Queensland has an extraordinary opportunity to become a global leader in critical minerals, and we are determined to seize that opportunity for the benefit of all Queenslanders,” Queensland deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie said.
“The legislation gives us the tools to attract investment, create jobs and build new industries, particularly in rural and regional Queensland where the benefits of critical minerals development can be transformational.”
Under the reforms, projects can be declared State Strategic Projects to streamline their approvals, although the declaration does not automatically approve a project or remove existing environmental, planning, resources or other approval requirements.
The legislation also retains protections for landholders, including consultation, notice, compensation and rectification provisions.
Regional Interests Development Approvals (RIDAs) will remain protected where required, maintaining safeguards for strategic cropping land and prime agricultural land.
Renewable energy projects, including solar, wind and battery projects, as well as data centres, have also been excluded from eligibility to be declared State Strategic Projects.
Queensland Resources Council chief executive officer Janette Hewson said the legislation would provide momentum for the state’s emerging critical minerals industry.
“In combination with the government’s Critical Minerals Strategy, the Bill is a welcome step forward, particularly its commitment to coordinated industry development, faster approvals, common-user infrastructure and a $250 million Critical Minerals Fund,” Hewson said.
“These initiatives will help position Queensland at a time when we are competing with other states and countries around the world for critical minerals investment.”
The new legislation comes ahead of Queensland premier David Crisafulli’s upcoming Trade Mission to the United States, which will focus on attracting investment to accelerate the extraction, processing and export of the state’s critical minerals.
