Shared Knowledge

We regularly distribute updates to our clients and contacts on specialised areas of law.

Please contact us if you wish to be added to the distribution list for these newsletters. The information is accurate at the time of writing but the law may have changed. You should treat this information as general advice only and seek specific advice for your particular circumstances.

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Major changes likely to the mining lease and environmental authority grant processes

On 15 September 2026, legislation was tabled in the Queensland parliament which, if passed, will make significant changes to the assessment of mining lease and associated environmental authority (and progressive rehabilitation and closure plan (PRCP)) applications in Queensland.

According to the material provided with the proposed amendments, the Mineral Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 (MROLA Bill) seeks to address “inefficiencies in the current regulatory framework” by:

reducing…

Significant changes to project assessment and decision-making in Queensland

Changes made to the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (State Development Act) will empower the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (Minister) or the Coordinator-General (CG) to facilitate projects, considered to be of strategic importance in Queensland, by way of new tools which will “fast-track” approval processes, provide for infrastructure coordination and changes to land access and land acquisition powers.

These expanded powers have the potential to impact existing planning assessment processes, decision-making

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ALERT – Deadline for action if your property has been adversley affected by the amendments to the Noosa Planning Scheme is 25 September.

Amendment No.2 to the Noosa Plan 2020 commenced on 26 September 2025 and introduces significant changes to development and land use within the Noosa Shire Council area. Landowners impacted by Amendment No.2 have until 25 September 2026 to lodge a superseded planning scheme request to preserve previous development rights or seek approval for development under the prior scheme.…

Queensland Environmental Reforms: What Comes Next

Queensland’s latest environmental reforms are now in force, affecting project proponents, resource tenure holders, environmental authority holders, councils, bore owners and landholders. Further changes to the State’s environmental licensing framework are still to come.…

Landholder Update 2026

Stay Ahead with the Landholder Update! In this edition of our Landholder Update, we explore evolving environmental authorisations for coal seam gas activities, carbon farming opportunities, new social requirements for renewable energy projects, a Land Court ruling with a human rights dimension, and the uptick in CSG exploration in the Taroom Trough.…

Characterising Uses and Ancillary Uses : Cheat Sheet

Characterising use is not always a straightforward proposition. It requires analysis of the activities and premises in question, in the context of the applicable legislation and planning instruments. In this cheat sheet, we provide guidance about how to undertake that exercise.…

Native Title Newsletter 2025

We produce the Native Title Newsletter to keep native title holders informed about what’s happening in the native title space — and what it means on the ground. In this issue, we cover: • New Queensland renewable energy social impact and community rules — what native title landholders need to know • How the Queensland Human Rights Act has been used to protect springs • P&E Law’s submissions to the ALRC review of the future acts regime • Updates on carbon farming and biodiversity projects • Highlights from the First Nations Clean Energy Symposium 2025, held on Kabi Kabi Country. If decisions are being made about land, energy, and future opportunities, having the right information matters. Download the latest issue of the Native Title Newsletter and stay informed.…

Assessing Need for Development : Cheat sheet

The concept of “need” is a key consideration in Queensland’s development assessment process. Assessing need is not a formulaic exercise but a flexible, context-dependent process. We have a cheat sheet to assist with understanding the concept.…

Submission to the ALRC on Reforming the Future Acts Regime

P&E Law has provided a submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s Review of the Future Acts Regime (Discussion Paper 88), drawing on decades of experience representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in future act negotiations. Our submission supports the ALRC’s call for reform, highlighting that the current regime under the Native Title Act 1993 is no longer fit for purpose.…

Currency of Approval: Cheat Sheet

This legal cheat sheet outlines the rules for development approvals under the Planning Act, covering when they become active, their standard expiry periods, what must be done to prevent them from lapsing, and how to apply for an extension.…

Conditions : Cheat Sheet

This cheat sheet offers a brief and practical overview of the law and key principles regarding the powers of development conditions.…

When Coal Seam Gas and Renewable Energy Companies come knocking.

Rural land is often well-suited for both petroleum activities and renewable energy projects. Landowners will often agree to both types of companies developing their separate projects on the same land. The law does not currently require any coordination of those projects, creating potential problems for landowners.…

Native Title Newsletter 2024

This edition of our Native Title Newsletter covers a number of topical native title issues. The inquiry into the Futures Acts regime; the streamlining of Native Title Regulations; helping to build sustainable PBCs; and key considerations for native title holders in negotiating land use agreements for renewable energy projects. Plus, we share highlights from Gulf Connect 2024. Stay informed and empowered. (more…)

Our submission highlights that there is no identified “management” of CSG induced subsidence proposed

P & E Laws’ agribusiness and planning team has provided a submission on the proposed amendments to the MERCP Act. Our submission highlights that in terms of arresting potential damage and further potential liability the draft legislative is lacking. It does not address the subsidence impacts on lineal and other infrastructure. Those impacts and the ongoing intermittent and regular subsidence impact on farming land will continue long after the companies responsible for the subsidence have gone.…

CSG Activities and Cattle – Compensation for Impacts

This edition of our Landholder Newsletter focuses on the potential for compensation for the impacts of CSG activities on grazing land and stock. It also includes a review on the state of play regarding Mining Lease Objections. (more…)

Our submission seeks to prevent changes that threaten food and water security and private assets

P & E Law’s agribusiness and planning teams have provided a submission to the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning about the proposed amendments to the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014. The submission has focused on impacts on priority agricultural areas above the Walloon coal measures in the Condamine Alluvium. The examples given relate particularly to that area and are mostly directed to impacts on farms in priority agricultural areas for priority agricultural land uses.…

Options for Barking Dogs

What is unreasonable dog barking and what options are available to address a pesky barking dog when encountered? This article examines the growing issue of barking dog complaints. It provides an analysis of what constitutes unreasonable barking from a legal perspective, practical steps for out of court resolution and outlines the legal framework governing noise nuisance dispute between neighbours.…

CSG – Deviated Drilling & Subsidence

This edition of our Landholder Newsletter covers CSG Deviated Drilling, CSG related subsidence, and Regional Interests Development Approvals in Priority agricultural areas & Strategic cropping areas. (more…)

Temporary Local Planning Instrument template

Is your local council area struggling to provide enough accommodation for its residents? In the interests of the community P&E Law has drawn up a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) template that can be adopted by any local government to give IMMEDIATE relief to the housing shortage issue in a local government area. Whilst long term solutions are needed for the housing/rental shortage crisis, the time taken for more housing to be built is lengthy in the current market where there are significant labour and construction material shortages. This TPLI provides various opportunities for immediate housing accommodation. …

The basics of the land acquisition process

What are your rights to object to land resumed for roads, railways and electrical works? What compensation are you entitled for land acquisitions? This article explains the basics of the land acquisition process. …