Mills Oakley’s Mining & Resources team notes the introduction of the Mineral Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 to the Queensland Parliament.  The proposed new laws are designed to enhance the thresholds for those looking to object to mining approvals, with a particular reference to (among other things) an “affected person” test and a 125 kilometre “proximity” test.

Introduced by the Minister of Natural Resources and Mines on 15 September 2026, the Bill proposes to replace the current automatic referral of mining lease objections to the Land Court with a more targeted, proportionate referral process overseen by the Environment Minister or the Director General of the Department of Environment, by virtue of ensuring those affected, namely, landholders and governments retain rights to object.  As such, those key stakeholders with a direct and proximate interest in the project retain standing to object and to have their concerns considered through the referral process. However, downstream impacts outside the 125 kilometre radius would seem to now be excluded in the assessment process.

“This is the first piece of significant law reform advancing the interests of the Queensland Mining and Resources Industry for over a decade.  As such, it will no doubt encourage further capital investment into the Queensland mining and resources industry arising from the proposed streamlined approval process.  However, further analysis is required to ensure that important stakeholders (for example, indigenous groups) are not adversely impacted by these changes,” said Glenn Vassallo, Partner, Mining & Resources.

A more detailed analysis of the proposed new laws will be prepared and published by Mills Oakley’s Mining & Resources team who specialise in advising resources companies, indigenous groups, landholders and investors across exploration, development, production, logistics and cross-border transactions.