The Queensland Government is progressing a coordinated approach to strengthen fuel security and support investment in critical fuel infrastructure across the state.
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.
The Accelerating Fuel Infrastructure Program (AFIP) is a proposal-led process inviting industry to bring forward projects that contribute to Queensland’s liquid fuel refining and storage capacity.
For private sector proponents in the fuel industry, AFIP provides an opportunity to partner with government to progress commercially credible projects that support fuel supply resilience.
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 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
OCG will lead the Accelerating Fuel Infrastructure Program, supported by EDQ.
The Coordinator General’s statutory role enables whole of government leadership and coordination of planning, assessment and delivery pathways for complex projects and development of national and state significance. This includes enabling major infrastructure, facilitating industry growth, delivering key capital projects, and resolving key challenges facing Queensland’s economy.
To support the Accelerating Fuel Infrastructure Program, OCG is undertaking a statewide audit of suitable government owned industrial and port land to connect proposals with potential locations for fuel security projects, while working closely with government owned ports and relevant agencies to identify infrastructure requirements and opportunities to support new refining and storage proposals. Further information will be released through this page and the EOI process.
OCG will also:
- lead a structured, proposal led market engagement process to identify and assess liquid fuel refining and/or storage infrastructure proposals
- coordinate whole of government assessment and facilitation pathways, working with the private sector to support project development and progression
- support informed Executive Government decision making.
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.
Frequently asked questions
The Accelerating Fuel Infrastructure Program (AFIP) is a structured market engagement process to provide a clear pathway for private sector proponents to bring forward fuel security proposals to government for consideration.
The Queensland Government has issued an Invitation for Expressions of Interest (EOI) calling on industry to submit commercial scale proposals to increase refining or storage capacity in Queensland for liquid fuels such as diesel, petrol, jet fuel or derivatives. Successful proponents in the AFIP process will be offered streamlined, whole-of-government facilitation to advance proposals, including coordinated approvals, cross-agency engagement, and assistance with land and infrastructure interfaces.
In addition, the Queensland Government is conducting an audit of State-owned land located around our key State Development Areas and Government Owned Ports, including Bundaberg, Gladstone, Mackay, Abbot Point, Townsville and Cairns, for land that may support new refining and fuel storage infrastructure.
Queensland has a single major refinery and relies heavily on imported fuel, which exposes the State to global supply disruptions and price volatility.
At the same time, Queensland is unlocking development in the Taroom Trough to support future domestic fuel production. Without sufficient refining and storage capacity, that production may not translate into usable fuel supply.
The AFIP helps address that gap by accelerating private investment in the infrastructure needed to strengthen Queensland’s fuel security.
The Queensland Government is progressing a suite of fuel security initiatives that work together to strengthen resilience, reduce reliance on overseas supply and improve preparedness over time.
As a key initiative, the AFIP aims to facilitate prospective refining and storage projects in Queensland to bolster future fuel security and provide economic opportunities across Queensland.
No. The Accelerating Fuel Infrastructure Program is not a funding program. The AFIP includes:
- A statewide audit of Government-owned industrial and port land that could be developed for new refineries or fuel storage facilities.
- Rapid market engagement for private industry to bring forward fuel refining and storage proposals for consideration.
- Streamlined processes for approvals and delivery for successful proposals.
The Invitation for EOI is open to commercial-scale proposals for liquid fuel refining and storage.
Proposals will be assessed based on the selection criteria outlined in the Invitation for EOI. This selection criteria includes the proposal’s technical and commercial viability and contribution to fuel security, and the capability and capacity of the proponent.
The EOI is open to experienced proponents with credible, commercial-scale proposals for liquid fuel refining or storage infrastructure in Queensland.
This may include proponents with experience in:
- energy or fuel infrastructure
- large-scale industrial or logistics projects
- integrated supply chain development.
The program focuses on liquid fuels, including:
- diesel
- petrol
- aviation fuel (jet fuel)
- derivatives of these fuels.
Proposals related to emerging fuels, such as renewable or low-emissions liquid fuels, may also be considered where they can demonstrate commercial and technical viability and a commercial scale contribution to fuel security outcomes.
The Office of the Coordinator‑General will lead the market engagement process and rapid assessment of proposals and identify facilitation pathways potentially using existing statutory powers to coordinate assessments, streamline approvals pathways and reduce duplication across government for complex projects.
Economic Development Queensland is a joint partner, supporting land assessments, market engagement and transaction pathways, particularly where government owned or strategically located land may be suitable.
The results of the Land Audit will be made available to participants in the EOI process.
Proponents may nominate land they already control as potential development sites, or seek support to identify suitable sites, in EOIs.
Successful proponents of the EOI process will receive support from OCG and EDQ to identify sites and secure land requirements in future stages of the AFIP market engagement process.
Queensland is a large and diverse State so facilities are located from the outback to the coast from north to south.
There are a number of facilities around Pinkenba in Brisbane, including the well-known Ampol refinery and terminal. Terminal and storage facilities for a range of fuel types and brands are located up and down the Queensland coast including Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, and Gladstone.
There are also advanced proposals for sustainable aviation fuel production in Townsville and Gladstone, and the Mackay State Development Area has a number of facilities exploring biofuel use and production including the former Racecourse Mill at Rosella.
The Invitation for EOI does not currently have a close date. EOIs may be submitted at any time and will be considered by the Queensland Government on a case-by-case basis. A closing date for EOIs may be notified in the future depending on the amount of credible EOIs received in the EOI process that meet the State’s objectives.
The Queensland Government will review all EOIs submitted through the EOI process and respond to proponents within reasonable timeframes. The Queensland Government may also contact proponents to seek further information or clarification of their EOI as part of the EOI assessment process.
Enquiries
For general enquiries regarding this market engagement process, please contact: fuelsecurity@coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au