Improved regulatory efficiency

The Mineral and Energy Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 (the MEROLA Bill) was passed by the Queensland Parliament on 12 June 2024.

It amended several Resources Acts to improve regulatory efficiency in Queensland, including:

• amending the Fossicking Act to require fossickers to seek permission from the relevant mining lease applicant before fossicking on the land
• empowering the Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals to decide how and when land suitable for exploration is re-released, to support critical mineral exploration in Queensland
• allowing the Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals to defer or set alternative rent in exceptional circumstances, such as natural disasters
• introducing a threshold-based framework for aerial surveys conducted at 1000 feet or above so these activities will no longer be considered advanced activities and resource companies will not need to provide entry notices and periodic entry reports to landholders
• enhancing industry compliance rules around reporting requirements, to support transparency and accountability.

Some amendments will commence on proclamation. We will inform stakeholders when the amendments commence.

More information

• Read the MEROLA Amendment Act for a comprehensive outline of the legislative amendments.
• Read the Clean Economy Jobs, Resources and Transport Committee's report on the MEROLA Bill, tabled on 7 June 2024.
• Read an explanation about the MEROLA Amendment Act.
• Have your say on the proposed subsidence management framework. Consultation will close on 23 September 2024.