The Queensland Government is progressing the development of the Taroom Trough by approving a works regulation, the State Development and Public Works Organisation (Taroom Trough Development Plan Works) Amendment Regulation 2026, directing the Coordinator‑General to undertake works reasonably connected with, or incidental to, the preparation of the Taroom Trough development plan (the Plan). It also activates the Coordinator‑General’s powers under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 to facilitate preparation of the Plan.
The Coordinator-General will lead whole-of-government planning and stakeholder engagement to enable a shared vision and development pathway for oil and gas resources in the Taroom Trough. The preparation of the Plan in consultation with local governments and industry will provide greater certainty to support investment decisions, while also providing clarity on the nature, timing and opportunities associated with development for regional communities.
Why the Plan is needed
Queensland relies heavily on imported crude oil and refined fuels, particularly diesel, to support essential services, industries and communities including mining, freight and agriculture.
In the current geopolitical environment, global supply chains are experiencing significant disruption, exposing Queensland to fuel supply risks and market volatility. Domestic oil production is limited and largely committed, while alternative supply sources remain undeveloped.
The Taroom Trough has been identified as a medium-term development opportunity to improve domestic fuel security and support regional economic development. While exploration, early-stage activity to determine whether oil or gas may be present, is still underway, coordinated planning is required to support progression toward potential commercial production.
The opportunity
Oil and gas resources in the Taroom Trough could help reduce reliance on imported fuels and improve long-term domestic supply. Being situated within an established energy province, with proximity to legacy oil and existing gas infrastructure, the Taroom Trough has access to strong foundations for future development planning.
The Queensland Government is progressing work in the Taroom Trough to support the state and the nation’s future fuel security, guided by the Taroom Trough Development Plan. The plan provides a structured and streamlined framework to coordinate development and infrastructure requirements, and to inform project-level decision making and investment.
About the Taroom Trough
The Taroom Trough is an onshore oil and gas region within the broader Bowen–Surat Basin, a large geological area where oil and gas resources have formed over long periods of time.
Located between Chinchilla and Roma in south-west Queensland, the Taroom Trough is situated predominantly within the Western Downs Regional Council local government area and extending across several other local government areas, including:
- Maranoa Regional Council
- Central Highlands Regional Council
- Banana Shire Council
- Goondiwindi Regional Council.
What the Plan will deliver
The Plan is to provide a strategic whole-of-basin framework to enable the orderly, efficient and responsible development of oil and gas resources within the Taroom Trough. It will:
- establish a shared vision and development pathway for the orderly, efficient and responsible development of oil and gas resources in the Taroom Trough
- establish a shared, robust and integrated subsurface understanding to support infrastructure planning;
- consider existing and planned facilities, infrastructure, networks, services and associated corridors and identify opportunities to leverage these assets (e.g. gas, power, water, pipelines, refineries, roads and other trunk infrastructure)
- identify new facilities, infrastructure, services and associated corridors and other relevant matters that may support development of the Taroom Trough
- improve regulatory efficiency and certainty through a coordinated approach to approvals and shared evidence
- inform downstream pathway-to-market analysis, including liquids handling, transport, refinery suitability and integration with existing processing and supply chain infrastructure
- provide for the delivery of regional investment and jobs and the management of cumulative project impacts
- provide clarity for community on future development and opportunities for the region
- provide greater clarity and confidence for future decision making.
Stakeholder engagement
The Plan will be prepared collaboratively with state agencies, local governments, industry, community stakeholders and the Australian Government.
The Coordinator-General will work with stakeholders including industry and local governments to help build trust and a shared understanding of the Plan as well as support open communication, exchange of information and collaboration to inform the development of the Plan.