Mackay Positioned For Critical Minerals Growth Under New Laws

Mackay is positioning itself for growth in the critical minerals sector, building on the region’s established resources, manufacturing and industry capabilities. Photo source: Mining Australia

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Mackay's push to grow its critical minerals sector could benefit from new Queensland laws designed to fast-track major projects, while maintaining protections for the state's prime agricultural land.

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The State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 passed Queensland Parliament with amendments on 26th August, introducing a new State Strategic Project framework aimed at streamlining major developments.

The changes have particular relevance for Mackay, where critical minerals have been identified as an emerging industry alongside the region's established mining, agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

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Mackay Regional Council's Building Our Future – Powered for Growth campaign puts the value of the regional economy at $15.3 billion and identifies critical minerals among the industries offering opportunities for future growth.

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Council is also advocating for investment in industrial land, State Development Areas and further development of the Resources Centre of Excellence.

When the campaign was launched in May, Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said the region already had many of the foundations needed to capitalise on further investment.

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“Mackay stands at a pivotal moment – we have the scale, workforce and industry capability to deliver nationally significant outcomes,” Cr Williamson said.

“With the right partnerships and targeted investment, we can unlock even greater opportunities for jobs, economic growth and community wellbeing.”

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However, moves to accelerate major projects initially prompted concerns from Queensland's agricultural sector.

On 25th August, the Queensland Farmers' Federation called for amendments preventing the new framework from diminishing protections applying to Priority Agricultural Areas and Strategic Cropping Land.

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The following day, the legislation passed with an amendment ensuring a Regional Interests Development Approval (RIDA) remains a protected instrument where required.

The Queensland Government says the protection means the new framework cannot use a modification order to remove a required RIDA, maintaining safeguards for regional interests including strategic cropping and prime agricultural land.

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QFF welcomed the change after the legislation passed.

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“By retaining the RIDA as a protected instrument for our state's strategic cropping and prime agricultural land, the Queensland Government has listened to farmers and shown that it will not be sacrificing our state's best farming land for other uses,” QFF CEO Kylie Porter said.

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The legislation does not automatically approve projects declared State Strategic Projects, with existing environmental, planning, resources and other approvals still required.

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For Mackay, the changes arrive as the region looks to capitalise on emerging industries without losing sight of the agriculture, resources and manufacturing sectors already underpinning its economy.

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