Legislative Update: The Aurukun Project

• The Mineral Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2006 will provide the winner of the Aurukun Project with expedited procedures and relaxed restrictions in obtaining the requisite licences and permits.

The Queensland Government recently introduced the Mineral Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2006. The Bill provides for a series of amendments to the Mineral Resources Act 1989 and also amends a number of other legislations to refine the State's jurisdictional control of sub-sea pipelines and the powers of the Coordinator-General to facilitate companies wholly owned by the State and/or local governments.

The greater part of the Bill is, however, aimed at promoting and facilitating the commercial development of the Aurukun Bauxite Resource. It essentially allows the successful bidder of the project to an expedited procedure in the legal requirements necessary to develop the project.