Improving land release in Queensland

Exploration for Queensland’s energy and mineral resources plays an essential role in supporting regional communities, creating jobs and attracting investment. An effective, modern land release process is critical to delivering exploration opportunities that support Queensland’s economic development while balancing environmental, cultural and landholder interests.

Why we held a review

In recent years, industry, stakeholders have raised concerns about the efficiency, transparency and predictability of Queensland’s land release system. Stakeholders noted that the existing process could be slow, complex and difficult to navigate, reducing certainty for investment and creating challenges for early community engagement.

To address these issues and inform changes to modernise Queensland’s future land release program, we undertook formal public consultation via the 2025 Land release review from 28 May to 20 August 2025.

What we asked

The 2025 review examined how land is made available for exploration, production and commercialisation. The paper sought feedback on three key areas:

A simplified competitive tender process
Alternative land release methods
Other reform ideas

Stakeholders were invited to provide feedback by completing a survey, submitting a submission online or via email, or by contacting the department directly.

What we heard

Overall, stakeholders supported modernising the land release framework to improve certainty, transparency and responsiveness. Key themes include:

Strong support for a more predictable, annual release process
Strong support for reducing the tender timeframe from 18 months to 12 months.
A desire for clearer guidance on government priorities and area selection
Interest in simpler, more efficient process and documentation
Support for early engagement with landholders, local governments and communities
Recognition of the value of GeoResGlobe for shared, transparent land and constraint information
Views on alternative release methods highlighting the need to encourage timely exploration investment and balancing transparency and fairness of process.

Read a detailed summary of all consultation feedback (PDF, 217KB), including sector-specific insights.

Next steps

Reform will be delivered in two phases:

Phase 1 – Administrative improvements (first quarter 2026)
These changes will increase transparency and provide greater certainty for industry and landholders. They include stronger early engagement, clearer guidance on area selection, improved documentation, and more efficient timeframes. Phase 1 changes will apply to the 2026 release cycle.

Phase 2 – Longer-term reforms (throughout 2026)
The Government will further consider alternative land release methods and options that may require legislative, system or resourcing changes. These more complex reforms will undergo further consultation as needed.

We will continue to ensure a timely and predictable land release program that supports responsible resource development, strengthens Queensland’s project pipeline, and contributes to jobs and economic growth.

We will continue working with industry, landholders, regional communities and other stakeholders as reforms progress.

For further information please email resources-tenders@nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au.

Last updated: 29 January 2026
Last reviewed: 21 February 2023