Queensland’s latest efforts to streamline critical minerals project approvals have renewed attention on permitting and infrastructure coordination as key determinants of mining investment, themes expected to feature prominently at this year’s International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC).
On 2 June the Queensland Government introduced reforms to the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971, creating a framework for State Strategic Projects and new powers intended to accelerate developments deemed significant to the state’s economic future.
The reforms are designed to improve coordination between project approvals and enabling infrastructure, including roads, power transmission corridors and water pipelines, while maintaining environmental oversight.
Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Janette Hewson said faster approvals remained a critical consideration for investors evaluating new resources projects.
“Timely approvals that get new projects to production faster are a key consideration for investors,” Hewson said, describing the reforms as a positive step for the industry.
Hewson said streamlined pathways would help Queensland capitalise on growing international demand for critical minerals required for defence applications, vehicle electrification and artificial intelligence technologies.
The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) also welcomed the changes, arguing that infrastructure planning often determines whether critical minerals projects advance beyond the development stage.
AMEC chief executive Warren Pearce said better planning and alignment would provide greater certainty and help projects move “from discovery to production faster”.
For many emerging critical minerals developments, particularly in regional and remote areas, access to coordinated transport, power and water infrastructure remains one of the largest barriers to project execution.
The Queensland Government said the reforms would help “fast-track the next wave of critical minerals and other state significant projects”, supporting investment in downstream processing and export capacity.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the state was positioning itself as a preferred destination for critical minerals investment.
“Queensland has an abundance of critical minerals and we’re grabbing hold of an incredible opportunity,” Bleijie said.
The reforms come as governments worldwide seek to shorten project development timelines amid intensifying competition for critical minerals supply chains.
Questions around permitting efficiency, project approvals, infrastructure readiness and investment certainty are expected to be among the major policy discussions at IMARC 2026, where the Queensland Government, QRC and AMEC are participating as event partners.
IMARC 2026 will be held in Sydney on 27-29 October this year.
Industry leaders, policymakers and investors attending the conference are expected to examine how regulatory frameworks can balance environmental responsibility with the need to accelerate development of critical minerals projects essential to energy transition and industrial supply chains.
