Darling Downs Environment Council

MEDIA RELEASE
13 March 2025

Shock as Mining Lease Objections Review Scrapped – Darling Downs Environment Council Calls for Transparency

The Darling Downs Environment Council (DDEC) has expressed shock and disbelief at the Queensland Government’s decision to abruptly cancel the Mining Lease Objections Review, despite extensive stakeholder engagement and months of work by the Queensland Law Reform Commission (QLRC).

DDEC Coordinator Ahri Tallon condemned the move, warning that the decision raises serious concerns about the future of protections for Priority Agricultural Areas (PAAs), Strategic Cropping Land, Priority Agricultural Land Uses (PALUs), and Strategic Environmental Areas (SEAs) in Queensland.

“This review was a crucial opportunity to ensure transparency and fairness in decision-making about mining projects. It was well advanced, with stakeholders—including farmers, conservationists, and regional communities—having dedicated substantial time and resources to participate in good faith. To see it scrapped without explanation so close to its conclusion is appalling,” Mr. Tallon said.

The Resources Cabinet Committee (RCC), which the Attorney-General has pointed to as the alternative decision-making body, has already signaled a push to "simplify and align notification processes" and "reduce process duplication." DDEC warns that this could weaken existing safeguards that protect Queensland’s agricultural land, high-value ecosystems, and communities from unsustainable energy and mining developments.

“The Regional Planning Interests Act is not a duplication—it’s the only legislation designed to protect vital agricultural lands and Queensland’s most environmentally significant areas from inappropriate development. Weakening these protections could have devastating consequences, not just for food security, but for biodiversity and climate resilience,” Mr. Tallon said.

Strategic Environmental Areas are essential for preserving Queensland’s most ecologically significant landscapes, including forests, wetlands, and wildlife corridors that sustain threatened species. DDEC warns that without a strong and transparent decision-making process, these irreplaceable natural assets could be left vulnerable to unchecked mining and energy projects.

“The concern here is that this sudden shift in process could be a backdoor attempt to undermine planning laws in favor of fast-tracking mining and gas projects. We need clarity from the government on what this means for the future of regional planning protections,” Mr. Tallon said.

DDEC is calling for full transparency from the Attorney-General and the Minister for Resources on why the review was abandoned and how the government intends to ensure robust protections remain in place for Queensland’s food-producing regions and natural landscapes.

ENDS

For media inquiries, contact:
Ahri Tallon
Coordinator, Darling Downs Environment Council