{"id":"qld:act-2017-028","name":"Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017","slug":"strong-and-sustainable-resource-communities-act-2017","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"qld","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"28 of 2017","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":29621,"registerId":"qld-act-2017-028-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"pt.1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"sec.1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### sec.1 Short title\n\nThis Act may be cited as the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017 .","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"sec.2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### sec.2 Commencement\n\nThis Act, other than part 3 , division 3 , commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"sec.3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Object of Act","content":"### sec.3 Object of Act\n\nThe object of this Act is to ensure that residents of communities in the vicinity of large resource projects benefit from the construction and operation of the projects.\nThe object is mainly achieved by requiring the owners of, or proponents for, large resource projects—\nto prepare a social impact assessment for the projects; and\nto employ people from nearby regional communities; and\nnot to discriminate against residents from nearby regional communities when employing for the projects.\n(sec.3-ssec.1) The object of this Act is to ensure that residents of communities in the vicinity of large resource projects benefit from the construction and operation of the projects.\n(sec.3-ssec.2) The object is mainly achieved by requiring the owners of, or proponents for, large resource projects— to prepare a social impact assessment for the projects; and to employ people from nearby regional communities; and not to discriminate against residents from nearby regional communities when employing for the projects.\n- (a) to prepare a social impact assessment for the projects; and\n- (b) to employ people from nearby regional communities; and\n- (c) not to discriminate against residents from nearby regional communities when employing for the projects.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"sec.4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Act binds all persons","content":"### sec.4 Act binds all persons\n\nThis Act binds all persons, including the State.\nHowever, nothing in this Act makes the State liable to be prosecuted for an offence.\n(sec.4-ssec.1) This Act binds all persons, including the State.\n(sec.4-ssec.2) However, nothing in this Act makes the State liable to be prosecuted for an offence.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"sec.5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"### sec.5 Definitions\n\nThe dictionary in schedule 1 defines particular words used in this Act.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"pt.2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Provisions for the benefit of residents of communities in the vicinity of large resource projects","content":"# Provisions for the benefit of residents of communities in the vicinity of large resource projects","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"sec.6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Prohibition on 100% fly-in fly-out workers for large resource projects","content":"### sec.6 Prohibition on 100% fly-in fly-out workers for large resource projects\n\nThis section applies to the owner of a large resource project that has a nearby regional community from the day that is 6 months after the designated day.\nFor subsection (1) , the designated day is the day the Coordinator-General publishes the name of the large resource project on the department’s website under section 13 .\nThe owner must not employ a workforce for the operational phase of the project that comprises 100% of workers who are fly-in fly-out workers.\nThe owner is taken to contravene subsection (2) whether it is the owner, a related body corporate of the owner, or an agent of the owner or related body corporate, that employs the workforce for the project.\n(sec.6-ssec.1) This section applies to the owner of a large resource project that has a nearby regional community from the day that is 6 months after the designated day.\n(sec.6-ssec.1A) For subsection (1) , the designated day is the day the Coordinator-General publishes the name of the large resource project on the department’s website under section 13 .\n(sec.6-ssec.2) The owner must not employ a workforce for the operational phase of the project that comprises 100% of workers who are fly-in fly-out workers.\n(sec.6-ssec.3) The owner is taken to contravene subsection (2) whether it is the owner, a related body corporate of the owner, or an agent of the owner or related body corporate, that employs the workforce for the project.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"sec.7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Requirement for operational workforce management plan if s 6 contravened","content":"### sec.7 Requirement for operational workforce management plan if s 6 contravened\n\nThis section applies if the Coordinator-General is satisfied, after requesting information under section 14A from the owner of a large resource project that has a nearby regional community, that the owner has contravened section 6 .\nThe Coordinator-General may, by written notice given to the owner (a requirement notice ), require the owner to prepare a plan (an operational workforce management plan ) for the project containing the matters stated in a guideline made by the Coordinator-General under section 7A .\nIn preparing the operational workforce management plan for the project, the owner must consult with the local government for each local government area within which all or part of the project, or a nearby regional community for the project, is situated.\nIf the Coordinator-General gives the owner a requirement notice for the project, the owner must submit to the Coordinator-General an operational workforce management plan for the project that complies with the requirement notice—\nwithin 3 months after receiving the requirement notice; or\nif the Coordinator-General allows a longer period by written notice to the owner, within the longer period.\nMaximum penalty—800 penalty units.\nThe Coordinator-General may, by written notice to the owner—\napprove the plan for the project; or\nif the plan does not comply with the requirement notice, approve the plan subject to stated conditions.\nAlso, the Coordinator-General may state conditions for the project that relate to the plan.\nIf the Coordinator-General states a condition under subsection (5) (b) or (6) , the stated condition is taken to be an enforceable condition for the project under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , section 157A .\nExcept as provided in the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , part 7A , neither the Land Court nor the Planning and Environment Court has jurisdiction in relation to conditions stated for the project under subsection (5) (b) or (6) .\n(sec.7-ssec.1) This section applies if the Coordinator-General is satisfied, after requesting information under section 14A from the owner of a large resource project that has a nearby regional community, that the owner has contravened section 6 .\n(sec.7-ssec.2) The Coordinator-General may, by written notice given to the owner (a requirement notice ), require the owner to prepare a plan (an operational workforce management plan ) for the project containing the matters stated in a guideline made by the Coordinator-General under section 7A .\n(sec.7-ssec.3) In preparing the operational workforce management plan for the project, the owner must consult with the local government for each local government area within which all or part of the project, or a nearby regional community for the project, is situated.\n(sec.7-ssec.4) If the Coordinator-General gives the owner a requirement notice for the project, the owner must submit to the Coordinator-General an operational workforce management plan for the project that complies with the requirement notice— within 3 months after receiving the requirement notice; or if the Coordinator-General allows a longer period by written notice to the owner, within the longer period. Maximum penalty—800 penalty units.\n(sec.7-ssec.5) The Coordinator-General may, by written notice to the owner— approve the plan for the project; or if the plan does not comply with the requirement notice, approve the plan subject to stated conditions.\n(sec.7-ssec.6) Also, the Coordinator-General may state conditions for the project that relate to the plan.\n(sec.7-ssec.7) If the Coordinator-General states a condition under subsection (5) (b) or (6) , the stated condition is taken to be an enforceable condition for the project under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , section 157A .\n(sec.7-ssec.8) Except as provided in the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , part 7A , neither the Land Court nor the Planning and Environment Court has jurisdiction in relation to conditions stated for the project under subsection (5) (b) or (6) .\n- (a) within 3 months after receiving the requirement notice; or\n- (b) if the Coordinator-General allows a longer period by written notice to the owner, within the longer period.\n- (a) approve the plan for the project; or\n- (b) if the plan does not comply with the requirement notice, approve the plan subject to stated conditions.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"sec.7A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Coordinator-General may make guideline for operational workforce management plan","content":"### sec.7A Coordinator-General may make guideline for operational workforce management plan\n\nThe Coordinator-General may make a guideline stating the matters that must be included in an operational workforce management plan for a large resource project and must publish the guideline on the department’s website.\n(sec.7A-ssec) The Coordinator-General may make a guideline stating the matters that must be included in an operational workforce management plan for a large resource project and must publish the guideline on the department’s website.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"sec.8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Offence relating to advertising or document about recruitment for large resource project","content":"### sec.8 Offence relating to advertising or document about recruitment for large resource project\n\nThis section applies to the owner of a large resource project that has a nearby regional community.\nThe owner must not—\nadvertise positions for workers for the project in a way that prohibits residents of the nearby regional community for the project from applying for the positions; or\notherwise state, in any way in a document, that residents of the nearby regional community for the project are not eligible to be workers for the project.\nMaximum penalty—400 penalty units.\nThe owner is taken to contravene subsection (2) whether it is the owner, a related body corporate of the owner, or an agent of the owner or related body corporate, that does a thing mentioned in subsection (2) .\n(sec.8-ssec.1) This section applies to the owner of a large resource project that has a nearby regional community.\n(sec.8-ssec.2) The owner must not— advertise positions for workers for the project in a way that prohibits residents of the nearby regional community for the project from applying for the positions; or otherwise state, in any way in a document, that residents of the nearby regional community for the project are not eligible to be workers for the project. Maximum penalty—400 penalty units.\n(sec.8-ssec.3) The owner is taken to contravene subsection (2) whether it is the owner, a related body corporate of the owner, or an agent of the owner or related body corporate, that does a thing mentioned in subsection (2) .\n- (a) advertise positions for workers for the project in a way that prohibits residents of the nearby regional community for the project from applying for the positions; or\n- (b) otherwise state, in any way in a document, that residents of the nearby regional community for the project are not eligible to be workers for the project.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"sec.9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Requirement for owner of, or proponent for, large resource project to prepare a social impact assessment","content":"### sec.9 Requirement for owner of, or proponent for, large resource project to prepare a social impact assessment\n\nThis section applies to the owner of, or proponent for, a large resource project for which either of the following happens—\nthe proponent makes a public notification about the draft EIS for the project under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , section 33 (1) ;\nthe proponent publishes an EIS notice for the project under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 , section 51 (2) (b) .\nThe owner or proponent must, as part of the EIS for the project, prepare a social impact assessment that—\nprovides for the matters mentioned in subsection (3) ; and\nincludes the matters stated in the guideline made under subsection (4) .\nThe social impact assessment must provide for the following in relation to the project—\ncommunity and stakeholder engagement;\nworkforce management;\nhousing and accommodation;\nlocal business and industry procurement;\nhealth and community well-being.\nFor subsection (3) (b) , the social impact assessment must provide for the recruitment of workers for the project in the following order of priority—\nworkers from local and regional communities;\nworkers who will live in regional communities.\nFor the matters mentioned in subsection (3) , the Coordinator-General must make a guideline stating the details that must be included in a social impact assessment and publish the guideline on the department’s website.\nIn preparing the social impact assessment under subsection (2) , the owner or proponent must consult with the local government for the local government area in which the large resource project is situated.\n(sec.9-ssec.1) This section applies to the owner of, or proponent for, a large resource project for which either of the following happens— the proponent makes a public notification about the draft EIS for the project under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , section 33 (1) ; the proponent publishes an EIS notice for the project under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 , section 51 (2) (b) .\n(sec.9-ssec.2) The owner or proponent must, as part of the EIS for the project, prepare a social impact assessment that— provides for the matters mentioned in subsection (3) ; and includes the matters stated in the guideline made under subsection (4) .\n(sec.9-ssec.3) The social impact assessment must provide for the following in relation to the project— community and stakeholder engagement; workforce management; housing and accommodation; local business and industry procurement; health and community well-being.\n(sec.9-ssec.3A) For subsection (3) (b) , the social impact assessment must provide for the recruitment of workers for the project in the following order of priority— workers from local and regional communities; workers who will live in regional communities.\n(sec.9-ssec.4) For the matters mentioned in subsection (3) , the Coordinator-General must make a guideline stating the details that must be included in a social impact assessment and publish the guideline on the department’s website.\n(sec.9-ssec.5) In preparing the social impact assessment under subsection (2) , the owner or proponent must consult with the local government for the local government area in which the large resource project is situated.\n- (a) the proponent makes a public notification about the draft EIS for the project under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , section 33 (1) ;\n- (b) the proponent publishes an EIS notice for the project under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 , section 51 (2) (b) .\n- (a) provides for the matters mentioned in subsection (3) ; and\n- (b) includes the matters stated in the guideline made under subsection (4) .\n- (a) community and stakeholder engagement;\n- (b) workforce management;\n- (c) housing and accommodation;\n- (d) local business and industry procurement;\n- (e) health and community well-being.\n- (a) workers from local and regional communities;\n- (b) workers who will live in regional communities.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"sec.10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Requirement for social impact assessment for large resource projects under the Environmental Protection Act 1994","content":"### sec.10 Requirement for social impact assessment for large resource projects under the Environmental Protection Act 1994\n\nThis section applies to the owner of, or proponent for, a large resource project for which an EIS notice has been published under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 , section 51 (2) (b) after the commencement.\nFor the following provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 , the chief executive of the department administering that Act may allow the EIS to proceed only if the Coordinator-General has advised that the social impact assessment for the project may proceed—\nsections 49 and 49A ;\nsections 56A and 56AA .\n(sec.10-ssec.1) This section applies to the owner of, or proponent for, a large resource project for which an EIS notice has been published under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 , section 51 (2) (b) after the commencement.\n(sec.10-ssec.2) For the following provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 , the chief executive of the department administering that Act may allow the EIS to proceed only if the Coordinator-General has advised that the social impact assessment for the project may proceed— sections 49 and 49A ; sections 56A and 56AA .\n- (a) sections 49 and 49A ;\n- (b) sections 56A and 56AA .","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"sec.11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Coordinator-General may state conditions to manage the social impact of large resource projects generally","content":"### sec.11 Coordinator-General may state conditions to manage the social impact of large resource projects generally\n\nThis section applies to a large resource project for which either of the following happens—\na proponent makes a public notification about the draft EIS for the project under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , section 33 (1) ;\na proponent publishes an EIS notice for the project under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 , section 51 (2) (b) .\nThe Coordinator-General may, as part of evaluating the EIS for the project, state conditions to manage the social impact of the project.\nIf the Coordinator-General states a condition under subsection (2) —\nthe stated condition is taken to be an enforceable condition for the project under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , section 157A ; and\nthe Coordinator-General must give a copy of the stated condition to—\nthe proponent for the project; and\nif the large resource project is a project for which the proponent has published an EIS notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 , section 51 (2) (b) —the chief executive of the department in which the Environmental Protection Act 1994 is administered; and\nthe proponent for the project may apply to the Coordinator-General to change a stated condition; and\nif the proponent makes an application under paragraph (c) —\nthe State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , part 4 , division 3A , applies to the application; and\nthe application must be accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation.\nExcept as provided in the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , part 7A , neither the Land Court nor the Planning and Environment Court has jurisdiction in relation to conditions stated under subsection (2) .\n(sec.11-ssec.1) This section applies to a large resource project for which either of the following happens— a proponent makes a public notification about the draft EIS for the project under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , section 33 (1) ; a proponent publishes an EIS notice for the project under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 , section 51 (2) (b) .\n(sec.11-ssec.2) The Coordinator-General may, as part of evaluating the EIS for the project, state conditions to manage the social impact of the project.\n(sec.11-ssec.3) If the Coordinator-General states a condition under subsection (2) — the stated condition is taken to be an enforceable condition for the project under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , section 157A ; and the Coordinator-General must give a copy of the stated condition to— the proponent for the project; and if the large resource project is a project for which the proponent has published an EIS notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 , section 51 (2) (b) —the chief executive of the department in which the Environmental Protection Act 1994 is administered; and the proponent for the project may apply to the Coordinator-General to change a stated condition; and if the proponent makes an application under paragraph (c) — the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , part 4 , division 3A , applies to the application; and the application must be accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation.\n(sec.11-ssec.4) Except as provided in the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , part 7A , neither the Land Court nor the Planning and Environment Court has jurisdiction in relation to conditions stated under subsection (2) .\n- (a) a proponent makes a public notification about the draft EIS for the project under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , section 33 (1) ;\n- (b) a proponent publishes an EIS notice for the project under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 , section 51 (2) (b) .\n- (a) the stated condition is taken to be an enforceable condition for the project under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , section 157A ; and\n- (b) the Coordinator-General must give a copy of the stated condition to— (i) the proponent for the project; and (ii) if the large resource project is a project for which the proponent has published an EIS notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 , section 51 (2) (b) —the chief executive of the department in which the Environmental Protection Act 1994 is administered; and\n- (i) the proponent for the project; and\n- (ii) if the large resource project is a project for which the proponent has published an EIS notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 , section 51 (2) (b) —the chief executive of the department in which the Environmental Protection Act 1994 is administered; and\n- (c) the proponent for the project may apply to the Coordinator-General to change a stated condition; and\n- (d) if the proponent makes an application under paragraph (c) — (i) the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , part 4 , division 3A , applies to the application; and (ii) the application must be accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation.\n- (i) the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , part 4 , division 3A , applies to the application; and\n- (ii) the application must be accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation.\n- (i) the proponent for the project; and\n- (ii) if the large resource project is a project for which the proponent has published an EIS notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 , section 51 (2) (b) —the chief executive of the department in which the Environmental Protection Act 1994 is administered; and\n- (i) the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 , part 4 , division 3A , applies to the application; and\n- (ii) the application must be accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"sec.12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Coordinator-General may nominate large resource project as a project for which persons employed during construction phase are workers for this Act","content":"### sec.12 Coordinator-General may nominate large resource project as a project for which persons employed during construction phase are workers for this Act\n\nThe Coordinator-General, as part of evaluating the EIS for the project, must decide whether to nominate a large resource project as a project for which a person employed during the construction phase of the project is a worker for this Act.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"sec.13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Publication of details of nearby regional communities and large resource projects","content":"### sec.13 Publication of details of nearby regional communities and large resource projects\n\nThe Coordinator-General must publish the following on the department’s website for each large resource project mentioned in section 6 or 8 —\nthe name of each nearby regional community for the large resource project;\nthe name of the large resource project and the date the operational phase of the project started;\nthe name of the owner of the large resource project;\nif the ownership of the large resource project changes, the name of the new owner, the previous owner and the date ownership changed;\nif the project has been nominated under section 12 , details of the nomination.\n- (a) the name of each nearby regional community for the large resource project;\n- (b) the name of the large resource project and the date the operational phase of the project started;\n- (c) the name of the owner of the large resource project;\n- (d) if the ownership of the large resource project changes, the name of the new owner, the previous owner and the date ownership changed;\n- (e) if the project has been nominated under section 12 , details of the nomination.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"sec.14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Owner of large resource project must advise Coordinator-General of particular matters","content":"### sec.14 Owner of large resource project must advise Coordinator-General of particular matters\n\nThe owner of a large resource project that has a nearby regional community must immediately give the Coordinator-General written notice of the following—\nthe start of the operational phase of the project, including the date it started;\nany change of ownership of the project, including the name of the new owner, the previous owner and the date ownership changed.\n- (a) the start of the operational phase of the project, including the date it started;\n- (b) any change of ownership of the project, including the name of the new owner, the previous owner and the date ownership changed.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"sec.14A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Coordinator-General may require relevant information","content":"### sec.14A Coordinator-General may require relevant information\n\nThe Coordinator-General may give a notice under this section to a person requiring the person to give the Coordinator-General information relevant to the administration or enforcement of this Act.\nThe notice may be given only to a person the Coordinator-General suspects on reasonable grounds has knowledge of a matter, or has possession or control of a document dealing with a matter, for which the information is required.\nThe notice must—\nbe in the approved form; and\nstate the person to whom it is issued; and\nstate the information required; and\nstate the period within which the information is to be given to the Coordinator-General; and\nstate the reasons the information is required.\nA person given a notice under this section must comply with the notice unless the person has a reasonable excuse for not complying with it.\nMaximum penalty—400 penalty units.\nIf the person is an individual, it is a reasonable excuse for the individual to fail to comply with the notice if complying with it might tend to incriminate the individual.\nThe person does not commit an offence against subsection (4) if the information sought by the Coordinator-General is not in fact relevant to the administration or enforcement of this Act.\n(sec.14A-ssec.1) The Coordinator-General may give a notice under this section to a person requiring the person to give the Coordinator-General information relevant to the administration or enforcement of this Act.\n(sec.14A-ssec.2) The notice may be given only to a person the Coordinator-General suspects on reasonable grounds has knowledge of a matter, or has possession or control of a document dealing with a matter, for which the information is required.\n(sec.14A-ssec.3) The notice must— be in the approved form; and state the person to whom it is issued; and state the information required; and state the period within which the information is to be given to the Coordinator-General; and state the reasons the information is required.\n(sec.14A-ssec.4) A person given a notice under this section must comply with the notice unless the person has a reasonable excuse for not complying with it. Maximum penalty—400 penalty units.\n(sec.14A-ssec.5) If the person is an individual, it is a reasonable excuse for the individual to fail to comply with the notice if complying with it might tend to incriminate the individual.\n(sec.14A-ssec.6) The person does not commit an offence against subsection (4) if the information sought by the Coordinator-General is not in fact relevant to the administration or enforcement of this Act.\n- (a) be in the approved form; and\n- (b) state the person to whom it is issued; and\n- (c) state the information required; and\n- (d) state the period within which the information is to be given to the Coordinator-General; and\n- (e) state the reasons the information is required.","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"sec.14B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Giving Coordinator-General a false or misleading document","content":"### sec.14B Giving Coordinator-General a false or misleading document\n\nA person must not, in relation to the performance of the Coordinator-General’s functions, give the Coordinator-General a document containing information the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular.\nMaximum penalty—1,665 penalty units.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"sec.15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulation-making power","content":"### sec.15 Regulation-making power\n\nThe Governor in Council may make regulations under this Act.\nA regulation may be made about the following—\nthe fees payable under the Act ;\nimposing a penalty for a contravention of a provision of a regulation of no more than 20 penalty units.\n(sec.15-ssec.1) The Governor in Council may make regulations under this Act.\n(sec.15-ssec.2) A regulation may be made about the following— the fees payable under the Act ; imposing a penalty for a contravention of a provision of a regulation of no more than 20 penalty units.\n- (a) the fees payable under the Act ;\n- (b) imposing a penalty for a contravention of a provision of a regulation of no more than 20 penalty units.","sortOrder":19}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation appears consistent with its original stated object in section 3—ensuring residents of communities near large resource projects benefit from those projects. The mechanisms (FIFO restrictions, anti-discrimination provisions, social impact assessments, and Coordinator-General oversight) all directly serve this purpose without significant mission creep."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to other Queensland Acts (State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971, Environmental Protection Act 1994)","Conditional triggers based on administrative actions (e.g., 'designated day' defined by website publication, EIS notice publication dates)","Delegated legislative power allowing Coordinator-General to make binding guidelines without parliamentary scrutiny","Complex enforcement mechanism where conditions become enforceable under a different Act (State Development Act)","Jurisdiction-stripping provisions removing Land Court and Planning and Environment Court jurisdiction for certain conditions","Nested definitions requiring reference to Schedule 1 dictionary (not fully provided in extract)","Distinction between construction phase and operational phase with different rules applying to each","Attribution of liability to related bodies corporate and agents"],"plain_english_summary":"This Queensland law (the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017) is designed to make sure that when big mining or resource projects are built and operated, the people living in nearby towns actually benefit from them—rather than just watching fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers come and go while local shops struggle.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Bans 100% FIFO workforces**: Large resource projects cannot have a workforce made up entirely of fly-in fly-out workers during the operational phase. They must hire some local people.\n- **Stops discrimination in job ads**: Project owners can't advertise jobs in a way that blocks locals from applying, or say in writing that nearby residents aren't eligible.\n- **Requires social impact assessments**: Before projects get approval, owners must prepare detailed assessments looking at how the project will affect local housing, health, businesses, and community wellbeing. These must prioritise hiring locals first, then people willing to move to the region.\n- **Creates enforcement powers**: The Coordinator-General (a senior government official who oversees major projects) can demand workforce management plans if companies break the rules, set conditions on projects, and publish details about which projects have nearby communities.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of large resource projects (typically big mines)\n- People living in regional communities near these projects\n- Local councils who must be consulted on social impact assessments\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis law tries to stop the phenomenon where mining towns boom during construction then collapse because all the workers fly in from cities and leave on weekends. It forces companies to invest in local employment and consider the social fabric of regional Queensland, not just the environmental and economic impacts of their projects."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act closely tracks its stated object. It targets large resource projects with nearby regional communities, imposing FIFO restrictions, anti-discrimination hiring rules, social impact assessment requirements, and enforcement mechanisms. There is no significant scope creep — the provisions are tightly focused on the stated goal of ensuring regional communities benefit from nearby resource projects."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-references to multiple other Queensland statutes (State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971, Environmental Protection Act 1994), requiring readers to consult those laws to fully understand obligations","Multiple regulatory actors involved (Coordinator-General, chief executive of EPA department, local governments), creating layered decision-making","Triggered provisions — many obligations only activate upon specific events (e.g., publication on website, start of operational phase), making the timeline of compliance non-linear","Liability extends to related bodies corporate and agents, broadening who can be held responsible beyond the direct employer","Conditions imposed can become enforceable under a separate Act, and jurisdiction of courts is explicitly limited, creating an unusual enforcement pathway","Guideline-based compliance — key details of what social impact assessments and workforce plans must contain are deferred to guidelines made by the Coordinator-General, not set out in the Act itself","Different penalty scales for different offences (400, 800, and 1,665 penalty units) without a simple explanatory table"],"plain_english_summary":"## Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017 (Queensland)\n\n### What does this law do?\nThis Queensland law aims to ensure that people living near large resource projects (such as mines, gas projects, or other major resource operations) actually benefit from those projects — particularly through jobs and economic opportunities.\n\n### Who does it affect?\n- **Mining and resource companies** operating or planning large projects in Queensland\n- **Residents of regional communities** near those projects (e.g., towns near a coal mine)\n- **Local governments** in affected areas\n\n### Key rules it creates:\n\n**1. No 100% fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workforces**\nOnce a project is operating, the company cannot employ *only* fly-in, fly-out workers (people flown in from elsewhere who don't live in the local community). At least some workers must come from or live in nearby regional towns. This kicks in 6 months after the project is publicly listed.\n\n**2. No discrimination against locals in hiring**\nCompanies cannot advertise jobs in a way that stops local residents from applying, or put anything in writing saying locals aren't eligible. Fines of up to 400 penalty units apply for breaches.\n\n**3. Social Impact Assessments required**\nBefore major projects are approved, the company must prepare a *social impact assessment* — essentially a detailed plan for how the project will affect the local community. This must cover:\n- Community engagement\n- Workforce management\n- Housing and accommodation\n- Local business opportunities\n- Health and community wellbeing\n\nLocals must be prioritised first in workforce planning, followed by people who will move to regional areas.\n\n**4. Workforce management plans**\nIf a company is found to be breaching the FIFO ban, the government regulator (called the *Coordinator-General*) can order the company to prepare a detailed workforce management plan. Failing to submit one can attract fines of up to 800 penalty units.\n\n**5. Conditions can be imposed**\nThe Coordinator-General can impose legally binding conditions on projects to manage their social impact. These conditions can be enforced under separate legislation.\n\n**6. Information and reporting requirements**\nCompanies must notify the Coordinator-General when their project starts operating or changes ownership. The Coordinator-General can demand information from anyone relevant to enforcing the Act. Providing false documents carries heavy penalties (up to 1,665 penalty units).\n\n### Why does it matter?\nThis law was a direct response to concerns that large resource projects in regional Queensland were using mostly FIFO workforces, meaning local towns — which often bear the environmental and social costs of these projects — saw little economic benefit. The law forces companies to hire locally and plan for community impacts upfront."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[{"type":"retroactive_impossibility","section":"sec.6(2) and sec.6(1A)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"Section 13 lists publication of 'the name of the large resource project and the date the operational phase of the project started' as a combined obligation. This implies publication may only occur after the operational phase starts. Yet s.6 applies to the 'operational phase' and gives a 6-month grace from the publication date. If publication is contingent on the operational phase already having started, the owner could be operating in the operational phase for months before the 6-month clock even begins, creating an unintended extended non-compliance window.","confidence":0.7,"description":"The prohibition on 100% FIFO workforces only triggers 6 months after publication of the project name under s.13, but s.13 requires publication of the name AND the date the operational phase started. The Coordinator-General may not publish until the operational phase has already commenced, meaning the 6-month grace period may not begin until after the very conduct being regulated has already occurred."},{"type":"impossible_compliance","section":"sec.14A(4) and sec.14A(6)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"The person receiving the notice is not in a position to assess relevance at the time of receipt; only the Coordinator-General knows the investigative purpose. The person must either comply (potentially against their interests) or refuse and gamble that the information turns out to be irrelevant. The provision effectively incentivises non-compliance as a litigation strategy, undermining the enforcement mechanism.","confidence":0.75,"description":"A person is penalised up to 400 penalty units for failing to comply with an information notice, but subsection (6) provides a complete defence if the information sought is not in fact relevant to the administration or enforcement of the Act. The person receiving the notice cannot know in advance whether the information is relevant, yet bears the risk of a penalty if they refuse to comply and the information later proves relevant, or walks free if it proves irrelevant. This creates an impossible compliance situation: the person must guess at relevance or comply regardless."},{"type":"circular_definition","section":"sec.9(3A)","severity":"low","reasoning":"A worker from a local or regional community (category a) will, by definition, typically also be a worker who lives in a regional community (category b). The Act does not define these terms with sufficient distinction to make the priority ordering operationally coherent. There is no residual third category (e.g. FIFO workers) explicitly addressed in the hierarchy, meaning the priority framework does not cover the full spectrum of possible worker types.","confidence":0.65,"description":"The priority recruitment framework in s.9(3A) requires that the social impact assessment provide for recruitment prioritising first 'workers from local and regional communities' and second 'workers who will live in regional communities.' These two categories substantially overlap and the second category could encompass the first, making the ordering hierarchy internally redundant and potentially meaningless."},{"type":"self_contradicting","section":"sec.4(1) and sec.4(2)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"Binding a person to an obligation while immunising them from the only enforcement mechanism renders the binding meaningless in practice. If the State owns or proponents a large resource project, it cannot be prosecuted for a 100% FIFO workforce or discriminatory advertising, making the stated binding hollow. There is no alternative enforcement pathway provided for State entities.","confidence":0.8,"description":"The Act declares it 'binds all persons, including the State' but then exempts the State from prosecution. Given that the Act's primary obligations fall on 'owners' of large resource projects, and the State could in theory be an owner or proponent of a large resource project, this creates a situation where the State is bound by the obligations but faces no legal consequence for contravening them."},{"type":"impossible_compliance","section":"sec.7(2) and sec.7A","severity":"high","reasoning":"The operative obligation in s.7(2) is entirely dependent on a guideline that may never exist. If the Coordinator-General declines to make a guideline under s.7A, the requirement notice mechanism in s.7(2) has no content to draw upon. An owner issued a requirement notice would have no way to know what to include in the plan. The penalty of 800 penalty units (s.7(4)) for non-compliance compounds the absurdity of punishing failure to comply with an unspecified obligation.","confidence":0.85,"description":"Section 7(2) requires the Coordinator-General to issue a requirement notice specifying that an operational workforce management plan must contain 'matters stated in a guideline made by the Coordinator-General under section 7A.' However, section 7A provides only that the Coordinator-General 'may' make such a guideline. If the Coordinator-General has not made a guideline, the requirement notice cannot specify the mandatory contents, making the plan requirement unworkable."},{"type":"impossible_compliance","section":"sec.9(2) and sec.9(4)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"There is no commencement timing mechanism linking when the guideline must be published relative to when EIS processes trigger. An EIS notification under the EPA or SDPWO Act could occur before the Coordinator-General has fulfilled the obligation to publish the guideline, leaving proponents unable to comply with s.9(2)(b) through no fault of their own.","confidence":0.7,"description":"Section 9(2) requires the social impact assessment to 'include the matters stated in the guideline made under subsection (4).' However, subsection (4) provides only that the Coordinator-General 'must' make a guideline. Until the guideline is actually made and published, the obligation in s.9(2)(b) cannot be complied with, yet the EIS process may need to proceed before the guideline exists."}],"contradictions":[{"severity":"medium","section_a":"sec.6(2)","section_b":"sec.3(2)(b)","confidence":0.8,"description":"Section 3(2)(b) states the object is achieved by 'requiring the owners of large resource projects to employ people from nearby regional communities,' implying a positive obligation to employ locals. Section 6(2) only prohibits employing a workforce that is 100% FIFO, which means an owner could employ 99% FIFO workers and 1% locals and fully comply with s.6 while arguably defeating the object stated in s.3(2)(b)."},{"severity":"low","section_a":"sec.7(1)","section_b":"sec.7(2)","confidence":0.65,"description":"Section 7(1) states the section applies when the Coordinator-General 'is satisfied' the owner has contravened s.6, suggesting a finding of contravention is a precondition. Section 7(2) then says the Coordinator-General 'may' require an operational workforce management plan. This discretionary power ('may') is incongruent with a situation where a contravention has already been established — one would expect a mandatory response to a proven contravention, not an optional one, creating a gap in enforcement logic."},{"severity":"medium","section_a":"sec.9(1)","section_b":"sec.10(1)","confidence":0.75,"description":"Section 9 applies to owners or proponents where either an SDPWO Act EIS notification or an EPA EIS notice occurs. Section 10 applies only to projects where an EPA EIS notice has been published 'after the commencement.' Projects caught by s.9 via the SDPWO Act pathway are not subject to the s.10 gating mechanism, creating an inconsistent regulatory regime where some large resource projects can proceed with their EIS without Coordinator-General clearance of the social impact assessment while others cannot."},{"severity":"medium","section_a":"sec.8(2)","section_b":"sec.6(2)","confidence":0.8,"description":"Section 8 prohibits advertising that prevents nearby regional community residents from applying for positions, applying from the project's inception (no grace period). Section 6 gives a 6-month grace period from publication before the FIFO prohibition applies. An owner could lawfully operate a 100% FIFO workforce during the 6-month grace period (s.6) but would simultaneously be prohibited from advertising in a way that excludes locals (s.8). This creates an absurd situation where owners must accept local applications but are legally permitted to hire none of them as FIFO prohibition has not yet triggered."},{"severity":"high","section_a":"sec.14(a)","section_b":"sec.13(b)","confidence":0.85,"description":"Section 14 requires the owner to 'immediately' notify the Coordinator-General of the start of the operational phase. Section 13 requires the Coordinator-General to publish on the website the name of the project and 'the date the operational phase started.' This creates a logical dependency chain: s.6's grace period begins from publication under s.13, but s.13 publication depends on notification under s.14. If the owner delays notification (even in breach), the s.6 compliance clock does not start, potentially creating an incentive for owners to delay notification to extend the period during which 100% FIFO is permissible."}]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/strong-and-sustainable-resource-communities-act-2017","history":"/api/acts/strong-and-sustainable-resource-communities-act-2017/history","analysis":"/api/acts/strong-and-sustainable-resource-communities-act-2017/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/strong-and-sustainable-resource-communities-act-2017/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/strong-and-sustainable-resource-communities-act-2017/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/strong-and-sustainable-resource-communities-act-2017/documents"}}