Making an enquiry and engaging in pre-lodgement for a resource project

Making an enquiry

Planning a large-scale resource project in Queensland is a complex process. The project must meet a number of legislative and regulatory requirements including:

• granting of a resource authority (tenure) from the Department of Resources
• approval as a suitable person to operate a site with an environmental approval from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI)
• assessment of and approvals to manage
  • environmental impacts from DESI or the Office of the Coordinator-General (OCG)
  • social impacts from the OCG.

More information

As part of the enquiry process, read the following guides for more information.

Department of Resources

• What is the application process for resource authorities?
• Mineral and coal authorities
• Petroleum and gas authorities

Office of Coordinator General

• How does a coordinated project process work?
• Pre-lodgement meetings with the OCG and how to request one
• How will my environmental impact statement be assessed?
• What are my obligations to communities impacted by my resource project?
• How will my social impact assessment be assessed?

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI)

• What is the EIS and do I need one?
• Forms and fees finder for environmental authorities

About pre-lodgement

All departments strongly encourage pre-lodgement meeting(s) before any formal applications are made for a resource project.

Pre-lodgement meetings give the applicant/client an opportunity to:

• discuss early concepts (pre-design) of the project
• determine project feasibility
• seek information to understand if their proposed application will meet the legislative requirements.

In addition, pre-lodgement meetings can initiate discussion around expected timeframes and the quality of information necessary for the application process for each department.

Pre-lodgement contacts

To organise pre-lodgement meetings, contact each department by phone or email.

Department of Resources

Contact the relevant assessment hub.

Mineral Assessment Hub

• (07) 4447 9230
• mineralhub@resources.qld.gov.au

Coal Assessment Hub

• (07) 4936 0169
• coalhub@resources.qld.gov.au

Petroleum Assessment Hub

• (07) 3199 8118
• petroleumhub@resources.qld.gov.au

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation

You can request a pre-lodgement meeting by completing and returning the form Application for pre-lodgement services (ESR/2015/1664 and ESR/2023/6440).

If you have any questions or for more information, contact Permit and Licence Management on 1300 130 372 (select option 4) or by emailing palm@des.qld.gov.au.

Office of the Coordinator-General

Phone:

• +61 7 3022 6100
• 1800 001 048

Email: cpdinfo@coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au

Next steps

Once you have engaged with the necessary departments and developed a better understanding of your project's regulatory path, you can:

• apply to be a registered suitable operator with DESI
• begin your resource authority (tenure) application with the Department of Resources through MyMines Online.