What are prescribed projects?
Projects may be declared a prescribed project by the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (Minister).
Prescribed projects are projects of significant economic and social importance to Queensland or a region.
In deciding whether to declare a prescribed project the Minister may consider:
- public interest
- potential environmental effects
- other matters considered relevant.
Once declared, a notice is published in the Queensland Government Gazette.
Find current prescribed projects
Find prescribed projects happening around the state.
Potential prescribed projects
The types of projects that may be declared prescribed projects include:
- works a local body, the Coordinator-General, or other person is directed to undertake under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act)
- a project in a State development area
- an infrastructure facility (as defined in the SDPWO Act)
- a project declared a coordinated project
- a project the Minister considers is:
- economically or socially significant to Queensland or a region
or - affects an environmental interest of Queensland or a region.
- economically or socially significant to Queensland or a region
Local bodies include:
- government-owned corporations
- statutory bodies
- other bodies established under an Act
- corporations whose shares are wholly owned by the state and/or local government/s
- subsidiaries whose shares are wholly owned by the abovementioned corporations.
Purpose of a prescribed project declaration
A prescribed project declaration enlivens the Coordinator-General’s decision-making powers. It authorises the Coordinator-General to work with state and local government to ensure timely approval processes. Ensuring no unnecessary delays can occur through the issue of statutory notices to decision makers for prescribed process and prescribed decisions.
A prescribed process is a process required to be undertaken under a law of the state. For example, a process in a stage of the development assessment system under the Planning Act 2016 (Planning Act).
A prescribed decision is a decision required to be made under a law of the state. For example, a development approval under the Planning Act.
A prescribed project declaration is most effective when used to obtain final approvals after preliminary approvals have been provided by the Coordinator-General or another authority.
Critical infrastructure project
The Minister may, by gazette notice, declare a project to be a critical infrastructure project at the same time as declaring it a prescribed project. This would happen if the Minister considers the project is critical or essential for the state for economic, environmental or social reasons.
Declaring a critical infrastructure project enlivens the Minister’s powers to register a critical infrastructure easement over existing public utility easements. The registration of a critical infrastructure easement does not extinguish an existing public utility easement. However, the existing public utility easement holder cannot exercise any rights that would interfere with the rights given under the critical infrastructure easement.
Project proponents seeking to have their project declared a critical infrastructure project must provide this request in writing, together with an application for a prescribed project declaration.
Benefits of a prescribed project declaration
If the Minister declares a project a prescribed project, project proponents benefit from the Office of the Coordinator-General’s support to navigate complex processes, including:
- working with decision makers of prescribed processes and prescribed decisions – to resolve issues and keep projects on track
- helping to navigate the complexities of the approvals process
- facilitating discussions and information exchanges – between the proponent and other stakeholders such as local authorities and state government agencies.
Prescribed project assessment process
- Pre-lodgement meeting
- Apply for a prescribed project declaration
- Coordinator-General consideration
- Consultation
- Coordinator-General recommendation
- Ministerial consideration
- Prescribed project declaration
A free pre-lodgement meeting with our office is encouraged for proponents seeking a prescribed project declaration, before making an application. To request a pre-lodgement meeting call us on 1800 001 048 or email prescribedprojects@coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au.
Applications must be in writing and address the prescribed project application guidelines (
460.7 KB). Follow these guidelines to ensure the Coordinator-General has sufficient information to assess the project effectively.
Sunset provision
The declaration of a prescribed project lasts for 2 years from the declaration date, or a later date specified in the gazette notice.
The Minister may, by gazette notice, extend the declaration end date if it is considered necessary or desirable. However, the extension cannot be longer than the initial period of the declaration.
Notices to decision-makers
After a prescribed project is declared, the Coordinator-General can notify decision-makers to ensure timely assessment.
The decision-maker may be a state government agency, local government or a government-owned corporation responsible for providing approvals, permits or authorities.
The Coordinator-General cannot issue a notice relating to a decision to be made by the Governor in Council or a Minister, or decisions outside the jurisdiction of the Queensland Government.
Types of notices
For prescribed projects, the Coordinator-General can issue a:
- progression notice – requires the decision-maker to progress the administrative processes necessary to complete the assessment process
- notice to decide – requires the decision-maker to make the relevant decision within a specified timeframe
- step-in notice – allows the Coordinator-General (with the Minister's approval) to step in and assume responsibility for assessing and deciding on a project, in place of the decision-maker.
The step-in power is similar to the ministerial call-in power under the Planning Act. Unlike the ministerial call-in power, the prescribed project provisions apply to a wider range of decisions and processes, including under the Planning Act.
Appeals and reviews
Once a step-in notice has been issued, the Coordinator-General's decision on a prescribed project cannot be appealed against under the SDPWO Act or other relevant legislation.
Also, the Minister's decision to declare a critical infrastructure project cannot be reviewed under the Judicial Review Act 1991.
Step-in notice of decision and reporting
The Coordinator-General must provide a written notice of decision to the applicant and decision-maker following a decision on a step-in. This must include the reasons for, and any conditions attached to the decision.
The Coordinator-General must also prepare a report on the step in-notice. The Minister must table this in Parliament within 14 sitting days of the notice being given.