ALCA has made a submission to the Queensland Parliament's inquiry into the proposed Mineral Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.
ALCA is concerned that the Bill would significantly restrict opportunities for communities, landholders and conservation organisations to participate in decision-making about mining lease and environmental authority applications. Public participation is an important component of transparent, evidence-based environmental governance and helps ensure decision-makers have access to local knowledge and expertise.
ALCA supports a balanced approach that recognises both the importance of Queensland's resources sector and the need for robust environmental governance. The submission argues that open standing rights for objections should be retained, noting that both mining development and environmental protection are matters of significant public interest.
The Bill proposes to substantially narrow who can object to mining lease and environmental authority applications. If the Queensland Parliament proceeds with these changes, ALCA makes the following recommendations:
1. Retain broad standing rights for objections to mining lease and environmental authority applications
2. Remove or amend the proposed 125-kilometre eligibility restriction
3. Maintain access to Land Court merits review processes
4. Applications already underway should be grandfathered to the current objections process.
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