About 150 attendees participated, in person and online, in the review of mining lease objections processes launch at Customs House, Brisbane, last week.
The event, presented by the Queensland Law Reform Commission (QLRC) and Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI), featured healthy discussion on mining leases, which will inform the review.
QLRC Executive Director Matthew Corrigan said this event reflected the commission’s commitment to greater collaboration, community engagement and, continued open and respectful conversations with relevant stakeholders.
“Integral to the success of this review is effective, respectful community consultation so it was encouraging to see all sectors eager to participate in the discussion,” Mr Corrigan said.
“We had representatives from mining, legal fields, academia, government and native title.
“The Ignite the Conversation panel discussion reflects our objective to create greater opportunities for the public to engage with, and contribute to, each review. We are widening our scope for public engagement.”
The event was facilitated by QLRC Chair Fleur Kingham, with opening remarks by SMI Professor Deanna Kemp, along with panellists Barrister Avelina Tarrago, Acting Chair of Queensland Law Society’s Energy and Resources Policy Committee Melanie Findlay, and Resource Economist John Rolfe.
The Queensland Government has asked the Commission to review and make recommendations about the processes to decide contested applications for mining leases in Queensland under the Mineral Resources Act 1989 and associated environmental authorities under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, including review of such decisions.
Mr Corrigan said the public and private interests in mining projects included ensuring ongoing investment and sustainable growth in resource projects, as well as protecting the environment, cultural heritage, community, agricultural and land owner interests.
“The mining objections process is one way those interests are taken into account in making decisions about mining projects,” he said.
The audience was given a preview of the commission’s new logo and branding,
After the Brisbane event, the QLRC team headed to Central Queensland to continue the conversation with key stakeholders.
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