Mining objection reforms: AgForce examining impacts to landholders

On 15 September, the Queensland Government introduced the Mineral Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 into Parliament. The proposed amendments would change who can object to mining lease applications and how objections are considered, with potential implications for landholders and communities affected by mining projects.

AgForce acknowledges the concerns about the Land Court’s resources being used for frivolous claims by individuals or organisations not directly impacted by a project. We understand the rationale for reducing objection eligibility.

However, AgForce is examining the potential impacts on landholders who are downstream of a proposed mining project and who may rely on water from an unregulated water source.

Under the proposed reforms, the eligibility zone for making an objection to a mining lease would extend 125 kilometres from the proposed mining activities. AgForce is concerned that this distance may not capture all landholders who could be affected, particularly those landholders further downstream who may seek to take significant volumes of water from an unregulated water source.

Members may also have concerns about other potential groundwater and surface-water impacts, including contamination. It is important to note that these environmental matters are dealt with primarily through the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and the Water Act 2000, which have separate assessment and public consultation processes.

AgForce is also examining proposed changes to the Land Court’s role. AgForce’ s main concern is that the replacement of automatic referral of objections with Ministerial discretion changes the level of independent scrutiny applied to mining lease objections.

Our current understanding is that the Land Court’s role in determining compensation where agreement cannot be reached has not changed. However, AgForce is examining how compensation arrangements will interact with the revised mining approval process.

We also recognise the need for an efficient approval system and the time and costs that can arise when objections are brought by parties who are not directly affected by a project.

AgForce considers it important that environmental assessment and public participation remain accessible to people with a genuine interest in a project. This includes landholders who may be downstream or otherwise affected by a project, including those outside the proposed 125-kilometre objection zone.

AgForce will continue to examine the proposed reforms as they progress through Parliament and advocate for a balanced approval process that protects agricultural land, water resources and landholders who may be affected by mining activities.