Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill makes a broad range of administrative and streamlining amendments to Queensland's land, resources and environmental legislation. It modernises outdated processes, improves state land management, reforms stock route governance, and updates how vegetation management data is maintained.
Who it affects
Rural and pastoral leaseholders, local governments managing stock routes, graziers, coal mining companies, surveyors, and landowners near tidal waters are most directly affected. The bill also supports Commonwealth defence operations at training sites in Queensland.
State land and lease management
The government can now proactively offer to convert rural leases to freehold, rather than waiting for leaseholders to apply. The bill also streamlines lease renewal decisions, clarifies tidal boundary definitions affecting waterfront landowners, and allows the Commonwealth Department of Defence to manage dealings at Greenvale and Shoalwater Bay training sites without needing state ministerial approval.
- Chief executive can proactively offer lease-to-freehold conversions without waiting for an application
- Chief executive can decide not to renew a lease before receiving a renewal application, with written notice and reasons
- Defence land at Greenvale and Shoalwater Bay exempted from requiring state ministerial approval for subleases and easements
- Tidal boundary definition clarified to include land adjoining tidal water, such as canal estates
Coal mining agreement changes
The Central Queensland Coal Associates Agreement is amended to allow special coal mining leases to be separated from the agreement and transferred to other companies. Transfers trigger financial provisioning assessments to ensure environmental rehabilitation obligations are met.
- Special coal mining leases can be removed from the Central Queensland Coal Associates Agreement
- Transferred leases become ordinary mining leases under the Mineral Resources Act 1989
- Financial provisioning scheme applies to ensure environmental obligations transfer with the lease
Stock route network reform
Stock route management is modernised with digital mapping, improved cost recovery for local governments, and streamlined planning processes. Local governments can keep permit fees and fines to reinvest in maintaining stock routes.
- Stock routes declared and mapped digitally rather than through gazette regulation
- Local governments retain all permit fees, application fees and fines for stock route maintenance
- Ministerial approval of local stock route management plans removed, replaced with consistency requirements
- New application fees for stock route permits, with hardship waivers available
Survey standards and vegetation management
Survey standards can now take effect on publication rather than requiring ministerial subordinate legislation. Regional ecosystem classifications move from regulation schedules to a certified database, making updates faster and less costly.
- Survey standards take effect when published online by the chief executive
- Regional ecosystem data maintained through the VM REDD certified database instead of regulation amendments
- Vegetation clearing under a code must comply with the code to qualify as accepted development
Publication modernisation and repeals
Requirements to publish notices in local newspapers are updated to allow online and other media channels, reflecting the closure of many regional newspapers. Three outdated Acts are repealed.
- Government notices can be published online or through other media rather than only in local newspapers
- Foreign Governments (Titles to Land) Act 1948 repealed as outdated
- Starcke Pastoral Holdings Acquisition Act 1994 and Yeppoon Hospital Site Acquisition Act 2006 repealed as no longer needed
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee17 Mar 2022View Hansard
Referred to Transport and Resources Committee
▸19 members spoke18 support1 mixed
Supported the bill as committee chair, recommending its passage and praising the minister and his department for ensuring Queensland remains attractive for business while balancing environmental and community interests.
“I reiterate our recommendation that this bill be passed.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard
As Minister for Resources, moved the second reading and outlined the bill's objectives including stock route reforms, lease conversion streamlining, vegetation management database changes, and BHP Mitsubishi Alliance mining lease transfer provisions.
“This omnibus bill will improve land related legislation to support the creation of good new jobs, make processes more streamlined and contemporary, and facilitate better stakeholder outcomes to drive economic development.”— 2023-02-22View Hansard
Supported the bill's stock route management modernisation and the amendments facilitating the BHP coal mine sale, while criticising the government's approach to vegetation management consultation.
“These amendments will ensure the legal framework is right in that regard and, on that basis, I commend the bill to the House.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard
As shadow minister for natural resources, supported the bill as a long-awaited reform of stock route legislation while criticising the poor quality of the explanatory notes with 36 incorrectly numbered clauses.
“Despite this, we will not be opposing the bill. As I stated earlier, this is a long-awaited reform of the stock route legislation—the third attempt, as I understand it—so we will be supporting the bill.”— 2023-02-22View Hansard
Supported the bill following the government's acceptance of the committee recommendation to omit the controversial clause 94 on vegetation management certification.
“As the minister has now foreshadowed that the government will accept the committee recommendation to omit clause 94 in full, I therefore support the bill.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard
Supported the bill as covering important areas for state and local government and addressing concerns for First Nations and farming communities.
“This bill not only covers so many areas of importance for the Queensland state government but also addresses important concerns for local governments across the state.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard
Supported the bill, particularly the stock route reform, while stressing the importance of accurate, ground-truthed mapping and committing to a watching brief on the reform's implementation.
“This reform to stock routes is needed. However, there is still more work to do.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard
Supported the bill as making regulatory frameworks clearer, more efficient and more effective, highlighting the resource royalties benefiting Queensland.
“The policy objectives of this bill are to make regulatory frameworks clearer, more efficient and more effective.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard
Supported the bill with a focus on stock route management and vegetation management aspects, defending farmers' ability to push mulga to feed stock during drought.
“The fact is Queensland farmers were then, and still are now, able to push mulga to feed their stock.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard
Supported the bill as the agriculture minister, commending the resources minister and addressing vegetation management concerns.
“Do not bother calling the LNP. With that short contribution, I commend the bill to the House.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard
Supported the bill's stock route modernisation and removal of the controversial clause 94 on vegetation management certification, but criticised the government for cramming too many disparate amendments into one omnibus bill.
“This is one of those bills that makes me sigh and, I am sure, provoke a bit of an eye roll from a lot of members.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard
Supported the bill while claiming credit for the LNP's role in forcing the removal of clause 94, arguing the shadow minister did the work of the minister on vegetation management.
“When we say that we are doing more governing from opposition that is exactly what we are talking about.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard
Supported the bill and defended the government's decision to remove clause 94, noting that both the Environmental Defenders Office and AgForce were united in opposing it.
“When the EDO and AgForce are united in their opposition to something, it shows how bad an idea it is.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard
Supported the bill, particularly the stock route management provisions, and declared her husband's previous advisory role in the legislation's early development.
“I am sure all members are keen to see this particular part of the legislation updated.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard
Supported the bill's principles but strongly criticised the legislative process, including poor drafting, contradictory explanatory notes and the government's attempt to sneak through clause 94.
“I support the principle of the bill but the process was fundamentally flawed.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard
Supported the bill as enhancing Queensland's economic growth, highlighting the BHP coal mine sale amendments as important for Central Queensland's mining industry.
“This bill is certainly packed with common sense and necessary amendments.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard
Supported the bill while raising local issues about sublease extensions that prevent communities like Agnes Water from accessing needed services.
“I call on the House to consider a future bill that will be able to look at subleases being extended by the chief executive officer.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard
Supported the bill and thanked all committee members, the secretariat and department staff who assisted in its development.
“I am delighted to commend the bill to the House.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard
Supported the bill, thanking committee members and highlighting the importance of stock routes for regional Queensland communities.
“They are truly crucial in these areas.”— 2023-02-23View Hansard