This paper provides a snapshot of some successful examples of post-mining
land uses around the world and analyses economic drivers for that success.
As a primary case study, it examines the Queensland system of
rehabilitation legislation, guidelines and conditions relating to mined
rehabilitation and outlines reasons why only one major mine has been able
to be relinquished in Queensland since January 2001. Contrasting
interstate and international regulatory systems are discussed. The paper
discusses flaws in Queensland’s Mineral and Energy Resources (Financial
Provisioning) Bill 2018, particularly as it interfaces with other
legislation. The paper also considers some of the lessons to be learned
from Butler v The State of Queensland 2014] 2 Qd R 423 (the Collingwood
Park case) relating to a subsidence of residential land in the suburb of
Collingwood Park, Ipswich. An earlier version of this paper was published
by the Planning Institute of Australia and has been updated and
re-published by PIA’s kind permission.
Click to download PDF – L Bowie and J Fulcher, Stepping outside the box
