Queensland’s economy is highly dependent on reliable access to liquid fuels, particularly diesel, which underpins mining, freight, agriculture and regional industries.
Recent disruptions to global liquid fuel supply have underscored the importance of strengthening Queensland’s and Australia’s liquid fuel security. Building resilience in domestic fuel supply chains requires coordinated planning, credible private investment and clear delivery pathways.
The Queensland Government is focused on Queensland’s fuel capability and long-term supply resilience through by improving refining, storage and supply chain capability.
To support this objective, the Office of the Coordinator-General (OCG), supported by Economic Development Queensland (EDQ), is leading a structured market engagement process to identify and assess private sector proposals.
Market engagement process
The market engagement process is:
- proposal‑led
- focused on proposals to increase refining and/or storage for a liquid fuel (such as petrol, diesel, aviation fuel or derivatives) in Queensland
- staged and assessed against selection criteria and Government objectives.
All proposals are subject to further assessment, regulatory requirements and Executive Government consideration.
Engagement stages
The market engagement will occur in three stages. Proposals will be considered on a case by case basis rather than undergoing a competitive evaluation process.
Stage 1 – Expression of interest (EOI)
Stage 1 is focused on identification of capable proponents with credible commercial scale proposals to progress to future stages.
Proponents are invited to submit an Expression of Interest outlining their proposed fuel security projects for consideration.
The invitation for Expressions of Interest (
348.8 KB) provides further information for potential proponents.
Stage 2 – Proposal development
Stage 2 is focused on the State and the proponent clarifying key aspects of the proposal relevant to further assessment of potential facilitation pathways.
Proponents will be invited to participate in Stage 2 at the discretion of the State based on assessment of EOIs against the selection criteria outlined in the Invitation for Expressions of Interest.
Stage 3 – Proposal facilitation
Stage 3 is focused on confirmation of the proposal and the proponent’s responsibilities and the State facilitation to be provided. Facilitation will not commence until relevant details are documented in an agreed in a form required by the State.
Proponents may be invited to participate in Stage 3 where their proposal is assessed as meeting the selection criteria and other requirements of the State, as determined by the State in its discretion.
Please see the Invitation for Expressions of Interest for further details.
Submit an expression of interest
Proponents can submit a Stage 1 expression of interest through the online form below.
Important information
Submission of an EOI does not guarantee progression to Stage 2 and not all proposals will proceed through each stage of the market engagement process.
Government reserves the right to amend, suspend or conclude the market engagement process at any time. Participation in the process is at the proponent’s cost and risk.
Queensland Government role
The Queensland Government has directed the Coordinator‑General and Economic Development Queensland to:
- engage with the market to identify and assess liquid fuel refining and/or storage infrastructure proposals
- partner with the private sector to facilitate project development, which could include early assessment and coordination
- support informed Executive Government decision‑making.
To support this work, OCG and EDQ are undertaking a state‑wide audit of suitable government‑owned industrial and port land to connect proposals with potential locations for fuel security projects. They are also working closely with government‑owned ports to identify infrastructure requirements and opportunities to support new refining and storage projects. Further information will be released through this page and the EOI process.
The Coordinator‑General’s statutory role enables whole‑of‑government coordination of planning, assessment and approval pathways for projects of national significance.
EDQ is leveraging its expertise and partnership-driven approach to help solve complex planning and development challenges associated with Queensland’s liquid fuel shortage. Examples include utilising its Exclusive Dealings policy to work directly with market participants (subject to specific criteria), as well as leveraging its proven experience in development feasibility, transaction structuring, infrastructure delivery and enabling development works. This is all done using robust internal governance – balancing the need for a responsive solution with the importance of decisive and impactful investment.
Enquiries
For general enquiries regarding this market engagement process, please contact: fuelsecurity@coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au