On 2 June 2026, the Honourable Jarrod Bleijie, Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations introduced a Bill to fast-track critical minerals and other "State significant" projects (read his Ministerial Statement here).

The State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 would allow Queensland's Coordinator-General to declare any major project a "State Strategic Project" and override regulatory pathways - including environmental regulations and community consultation.

We made a formal submission to the Committee, which outlined some major concerns relating to:

• North Queensland's disproportionate share of the Bill’s impact 
• Risks to Great Barrier Reef catchments and environmental values 
• Impacts on Traditional Owner rights and cultural heritage 
• Reduced protections for rural landholders 
• Centralisation of decision-making and reduced local input 
• Failure to address cumulative impacts
• Loss of public confidence in environmental decision-making 
• The undermining of Bioregional Planning as a mechanism for streamlining development

Throughout Queensland, organisations and locals spoke have spoken out against this Bill - including over 900 individuals who made submissions using QCC's template. Submissions have now closed, but the Primary Industries and Resources Committee don't report back until 7th August.

What you can do

1. Contact your State MP and let them know your concerns about this Bill.

Townsville
Adam Baillie
[email protected]
Ph: (07) 4766 4100

Mundingburra
Janelle Poole
[email protected]
(07) 4766 8100

Thuringowa
Natalie Marr
[email protected]
(07) 4766 3100

Hinchinbrook
Wade Chiesa
[email protected]
(07) 4765 4700

2. Sign this petition by Lock the Gate Alliance

3. Share the petition or this blog post with a friend. Don't let this slide quietly by!

Thanks for taking action. We know that environmental regulations and communities who care are often the only things standing between corporations and nature - we can't afford to lose them!