Qld Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps has announced that a new Townsville Minerals Assessment Hub will process all mineral exploration permits for Queensland and manage all mineral development applications across the state.
“This is a significant milestone in reforming the way the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) issues tenures to our mining company clients,” Mr Cripps said.
“It delivers on the Newman Government’s election commitment to build resources as one of the four pillars of the economy, by cutting the burden of red tape on mining companies.
“Now lodgement can be completed with the click of a mouse, with applications assessed by DNRMs specialist team in Townsville.”
Mr Cripps said the Minerals Assessment Hub had also created efficiencies by co-locating staff with expertise in dealing with this section of the resources sector.
“This plan will see three positions from the south east transferred to the north, creating a system that is more responsive to the needs of industry,” he said.
“This is a great example of carefully examining what DNRM does and who we do it for and ensuring our services are tailored to the resources sector.
“DNRM plans to create similar hubs to manage coal services in Rockhampton and for petroleum and gas in Toowoomba.”
