Protest Puts State Bill In Spotlight

Protesters asking for a rethink outside of Whitsundays Electorate office. Photo credit: Zach Houtenville.

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By Zach Houtenville

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Whitsunday residents have thrown their support behind calls to reconsider a controversial State Development Bill, amassing 350 signatures on an open letter to Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm, before gathering outside her Proserpine office to express concerns surrounding landholder rights, community consultation and environmental protections.

The Whitsunday Conservation Council (WCC), alongside Save Our Foreshore, organised the protest on Tuesday 18th August, ahead of the State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026being debated in Parliament.  

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The groups formally presented Amanda Camm’s office with the letter outlining their concerns in an effort to have their voices heard before next week.  

“If this bill passes, it'll be a very black day for Queensland in that it removes many environmental assessments,” said President of the Whitsundays Conservation Council Tony Fontes.

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“Amanda is a very important person in our community as our member of parliament.  

“She has the opportunity to vote on this bill very shortly, which is why we're here today, as we're hoping that she will vote no.”

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The Bill was introduced to Queensland Parliament by Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie on June 2nd, aiming to speed up and simplify decisions around major development projects, particularly in the critical minerals sector.

It proposes changes to the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971, including new and expanded powers for facilitating significant projects, changes to land use and infrastructure planning for resources and heavy industry, and measures designed to streamline existing approval processes.  

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It is those expanded powers and streamlined processes that have drawn concern from the WCC and Save Our Foreshore, who fear faster approvals could come at the expense of landholder rights, community consultation and environmental protections.

WCC President Tony Fontes said his concern extended beyond impacts on private land, alleging the changes could also have consequences for the Great Barrier Reef.

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“It basically strips away many environmental protections, which will impact not just terrestrial environments, but the Great Barrier Reef itself,” Tony said.

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Save Our Foreshore expressed fear the Bill would concentrate greater decision-making power with the State while reducing public consultation.

“The Government exists to represent the people, not override them,” said Save Our Foreshore President Suzette Pelt.

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“These new laws would hand sweeping and more extraordinary powers along with unilateral unaccountable authority to the Coordinator General and single Ministers.”

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm has acknowledged the concerns raised by the groups and wider community.  

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“I acknowledge and thank the Whitsunday Conservation Council for their continued advocacy and also many across the community who have raised concerns around The State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026,” said Amanda Camm MP.  

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Ms Camm highlighted safeguards for landholders, including at least six months of negotiations before compulsory acquisition could be considered, with the powers limited to State strategic projects.

She said landholders would retain rights to be consulted, object and receive compensation, while any proposal would require Parliamentary scrutiny, and advised that the bill ‘does not remove environmental approval requirements.’

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“As a former farmer, I know Landholders need to be assured there are safeguards in place,” Ms Camm said.  

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“While the committee has recommended the Bill be passed it will be debated in Parliament and I will raise the concerns of my community.”

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