Queensland is moving to accelerate development of the Taroom Trough, positioning it as the country’s first new oil field in decades while calling on federal authorities to speed up approvals.
The Crisafulli Government has announced a new development plan aimed at coordinating infrastructure and cutting assessment timelines, arguing the project could strengthen domestic fuel supply at a time of ongoing global uncertainty.
Early production has already begun on a small scale, with Shell extracting around 200 barrels of crude oil a day from the basin. The oil is being refined into diesel at iOR’s Eromanga facility, marking the first flow of fuel from the region into the domestic market.
State officials say the next phase will focus on scaling up production by streamlining roads and other key infrastructure through a framework overseen by the Coordinator-General. The proposed Taroom Trough Development Plan is intended to guide activity across the basin and bring different approvals under a single, coordinated process.
At the same time, the state government is urging Canberra to classify the project as nationally important and assess it under the National Interest Fast-Track Assessment Pathway. The mechanism is designed to reduce duplication between state and federal processes, though it has drawn scrutiny in other cases over how it balances speed with environmental oversight.
Premier David Crisafulli said expanding domestic oil production is central to reducing reliance on overseas supply chains, pointing to risks exposed by recent global disruptions. Ministers have framed the project as part of a broader push to secure fuel for transport, agriculture and industry.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the government had already directed work on a regulatory pathway to support infrastructure delivery, while Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last signalled a willingness to back exploration with faster approvals.
Supporters of the project argue it could bring investment and jobs to regional Queensland, while adding to national energy security. Others, including some environmental groups and policy analysts, are likely to question the long-term role of new oil developments as Australia navigates energy transition goals and emissions targets.
The federal government has yet to indicate whether it will grant the project fast-track status. Its decision will shape how quickly the Taroom Trough moves from early production into a larger-scale operation, and how it fits within the country’s broader energy policy.
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