The Queensland renewable energy sector will continue to work constructively with the State Government, local councils, landholders and other stakeholders to deliver the new electricity generation and storage our homes and businesses need.

Following the passage of the State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, the sector remains focused on working within Queensland’s established planning and approvals framework to deliver responsible investment and new energy infrastructure.

Renewable energy projects are developed through voluntary agreements with host landholders. Wind and solar proponents work with willing landholders and do not rely on compulsory acquisition of host land to establish their generation projects.

Large-scale renewable energy projects are also subject to established assessment processes under the Planning Act, including relevant impact assessment, social impact assessment and community benefit requirements.

This consultative approach will remain central to the sector’s development of projects that can deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity, consistent with the State Government’s Energy Roadmap and its objective to attract private sector investment in new generation.

While the Bill excludes renewable energy generation, battery storage and data centres from the new State Strategic Project approval pathway, QREC’s focus remains on working within Queensland’s planning framework and engaging constructively with all stakeholders to progress responsible investment.

While this creates an inconsistency between these projects and other major investments that may qualify for the pathway, QREC’s focus remains on working within Queensland’s planning framework and engaging constructively with all stakeholders to progress responsible investment.

Queensland’s critical minerals and data centre ambitions will require substantial new electricity supply, while renewable energy and storage technologies rely on strong critical mineral supply chains.

QREC will continue to advocate for rigorous, efficient and predictable approval processes that maintain community confidence, respect host landholders and enable Queensland to compete for major private investment.

Click here to view the Queensland Government media statement