Queensland Critical Minerals Bill Submission
MITEZ lodged a submission to the Queensland Parliament’s Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Committee regarding the State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.
The submission supports the intent of the Bill and its objective of improving project facilitation, investment certainty and infrastructure coordination for critical minerals projects across Queensland. MITEZ highlighted the significant opportunity presented by the North West Minerals Province and the importance of ensuring project approvals are matched by infrastructure readiness, workforce planning, housing supply and community capacity.
The submission included seven targeted recommendations aimed at strengthening regional outcomes, including mandatory regional benefit statements, infrastructure readiness assessments, stronger local government consultation requirements, safeguards for junior explorers, project delivery milestones, annual reporting and greater focus on downstream processing and value-adding opportunities.
MITEZ also called for formal recognition of the Mount Isa to Townsville corridor within the implementation of the legislation, including activation of the Infrastructure Coordination Plan framework for the North West Minerals Province and alignment with the Mount Isa Transformation Study currently being undertaken by CRU International.
The submission reinforces MITEZ’s ongoing advocacy for infrastructure investment, regional development and policies that support long-term economic growth across the corridor.