Getting ‘works’ done
Sometimes, to progress large-scale and complex projects the Coordinator-General, a ‘local body’ or another entity can be directed to get ‘works’ done. This direction is given through a works regulation, typically proposed by the Coordinator-General and approved by the Minister and by the Governor in Council.
A works regulation sets out the ‘works’ to be done for specific projects and who is directed to do them. Typically, the ‘works’ are detailed in a project report referred to in the works regulation.
Once ‘works’ are set out in a regulation there is a legal obligation to complete them.
The Office of the Coordinator-General has a role in ensuring the obligations are met. If a ‘local body’ fails to comply there is a process that can result in the costs of remedying a default being paid by them.
The benefit of a works regulation includes exemptions to some local and state planning requirements and enables the Coordinator-General to use their powers.
What are ‘works’?
The definition of 'works' under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act) is very broad. It includes the whole and every part of any:
- work
- project
- service
- utility
- undertaking or
- function.
Under the SDPWO Act a regulation may be made that directs works to be undertaken by:
- the Coordinator-General or another person on behalf of the Coordinator-General, and/or
- a ‘local body‘.
The Coordinator-General can also delegate the works with the approval of the Minister and the Governor in Council.
What is a 'local body'?
Under the SDPWO Act local bodies include:
- government-owned corporations
- statutory bodies
- other bodies established under an Act, such as local governments
- corporations whose shares are wholly owned by the state and/or local government/s
- subsidiaries of the abovementioned corporations.
Current works regulation
Access all the projects and works included in the current regulation:
Access the related project reports detailing the ‘works’, who is directed to do them and more information:
- Rookwood Weir Project Report (
328.0 KB) - Building Future Schools Fund Project Report ( 249.8 KB)
- Queensland Performing Arts Centre Extension – New Performing Arts Venue Project Report ( 441.3 KB)
- Cairns Convention Centre Expansion Project Report ( 332.9 KB)
- Gold Coast University Hospital Second Project Report ( 72.7 KB)
- Proposed Investigation Area for Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline ( 1.9 MB)
- Far North Queensland Health and Innovation Precinct Project Report ( 564.5 KB)
- Currumbin Eco Parkland Project Report ( 474.8 KB)
- Toowoomba to Warwick Water Pipeline Project Report ( 466.2 KB)
- Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Project Exploratory Works – Temporary Workers Accommodation Camps Project Report ( 1.6 MB)
- Julia Creek/Richmond Critical Minerals Zone Water Delivery Options Project Report ( 276.1 KB)
- CopperString 2032 Workers Accommodation Camps – Hughenden, Julia Creek and Richmond Project Report ( 1.1 MB)
- Toowoomba to Warwick Water Pipeline Project Report (construction and commissioning) ( 1.1 MB)
- Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Project Exploratory Works – Geotechnical and Investigations Project Report ( 1.2 MB)
- Paradise Dam Improvement Project – Early Works ( 926.9 KB)
- Bribie Island Breakthrough Emergency Works Project Report ( 1.8 MB). Find out more about Bribie Island emergency works.
The Coordinator-General's powers
Powers under the SDPWO Act allow the Coordinator-General to, among other things:
- compulsorily acquire land and easements, if required, and deal with land
- temporarily enter private land (with notice where practicable) to, among other things:
- temporarily occupy the land
- carry out an investigation
- dig or bore into the land
- demolish buildings and remove plant and machinery
- construct buildings and bring in plant and machinery
- make roads
- deposit or take earth, timber and other materials.
The Coordinator-General can remain on the land for as long as considered necessary. There are provisions for compensation under the Act .
For more details about the powers under the Act access the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971.