Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said the Mines Legislation (Streamlining) Amendment Bill 2012 was a significant first step towards the modernisation of Queensland's resource legislation framework and the service delivery that underpinned it.

"Industry leaders have said the Queensland resources sector is currently 'plagued by process' and our international investment reputation is suffering as a result," Cripps said.

"That's why reducing red tape is an essential element of the government's commitment to reform mining and resource tenure management and approvals."

Cripps said a key area of streamlining would be online service delivery through the Department of Natural Resources and Mines’ web-based MyMinesOnline system.

"Being able to do web-based transactions, including lodgement of permit applications online, will help eliminate red tape and save time," he said.

The Queensland Resources Council welcomed government action to cut red tape by streamlining the resource tenure approvals process and by investing in the latest technology, its chief executive Michael Roche said.

“This large Bill, which encompasses amendments to streamline five pieces of resource tenure legislation, marks another important milestone for the government in its commitment to growing the resources sector,” he said.

"Industry will be able to transact business with the department anywhere there is access to the web; boosting certainty for industry and further improving the state's investment attractiveness by making it easier to do business here.

"The resources industry has been involved in, and has supported, the streamlining approvals project from the outset, and in particular has made a valuable contribution to the development of these online solutions."

The Bill also proposes to modernise the tenure administration system and reduce the time taken for each tenure decision under the streamlining approvals project and clarify legislation so that resource activities (such as exploration) and development activities (such as transport and infrastructure development) can coexist.

It would also seek to clarify an application of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to hazardous chemicals and major hazard facilities and support the delivery of coal seam gas to liquefied natural gas, or CSG-to-LNG, projects in Queensland.

“The resources sector is excited by what these amendments will mean,” Roche said. “They bring with them the ability for resource tenures to be managed through a world-class online management system, moving the approvals process into the 21st century by using the latest mapping and tracking technology.”

Roche noted that the Bill also brings mining lease approvals in line with all other resource production tenures by allowing the minister to have final sign off instead of the Governor-in-Council.

“This alone will reduce approval timeframes for mining leases by up to six weeks,” Roche said.

“Combined with the passage this week of the Greentape Bill and the cracking pace being set by the coordinator-general, this streamlining Bill has provided the resources sector with the prospect of an approvals environment that will encourage investment and further job creation in Queensland.”