The Queensland Government has introduced legislation to reform the state’s mining lease objections framework, with the government saying the changes will deliver faster decisions and greater certainty for communities, landholders and mining companies.
The Mineral Resources Objections Reform and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 introduces a range of reforms the government says are aimed at reducing “environmental lawfare”, streamlining approvals, delivering certainty to communities and removing assessment duplication across mining lease and environmental authority applications.
The government says the legislation aims to reduce project delays while maintaining Queensland’s environmental standards. Environmental impacts will continue to be assessed through the environmental authority application, which must be complete before a mining lease application can be made.
Automatic referrals to the Land Court would be replaced with a ministerial referral process for objections that warrant a hearing or an independent review, which the government says would reduce unnecessary court proceedings.
The Bill would also remove duplicated environmental assessments currently considered under both environmental authority and mining lease applications. Environmental impacts and objections would instead be considered only through the environmental authority process.
The Bill would limit mining lease objections to parties in directly affected communities, including landholders and local governments, or parties within 125km of the mining lease boundary.
Lock the Gate Alliance national coordinator Ellen Roberts has criticised the reforms, arguing the 125km limit fails to account for mine impacts that can extend beyond a project’s immediate area.
Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last says the Queensland Government is delivering historical reform for the state’s mining industry.
“This is about maintaining our leading environmental standards, while making it easier to do business in Queensland and delivering certainty for Queensland workers,” he said.
“Mining is the backbone of Queensland’s economy and when the industry succeeds, we see the flow on benefits that drive regional jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity.”
Association of Mining and Exploration Companies chief executive Warren Pearce says the reforms are a significant step towards a more efficient and workable approval system for new resource projects.
“These changes should help reduce unnecessary delay and uncertainty while maintaining appropriate opportunities for genuine community concerns to be considered,” he said.
“Queensland has enormous resource potential, but projects need an approvals system that is efficient and focused on resolving genuine issues rather than creating unnecessary delay.”
“Every unnecessary year added to an approval process has cost. It affects investment decisions and Queensland’s ability to turn its mineral endowment into new mines and economic opportunities.”
