Leases, licences and permits to occupy
Renewing a lease
Landholders can apply to renew their lease, unless the lease includes terms that specifically exclude renewal. Road licences, occupation licences and permits to occupy cannot be renewed.
You may apply at any time during the term of the lease, except for term leases, which can only be renewed after 80% of the existing term has expired (unless there are special circumstances).
If we have refused an earlier application and the reasons for refusal have not changed, your application may not be considered.
Note: If you have a rolling lease, you should apply to extend the rolling term lease instead of a renewal.
You are strongly encouraged to arrange a pre-lodgement meeting with us before you apply to ensure you have the information you need to apply correctly. You can do this by contacting your nearest business centre.
How to apply
Your application should include:
- LA00—Application form part A (PDF, 92KB)
- LA02—Application for renewal of lease (PDF, 84KB)
- Application fee
- Any additional attachments, as requested
To avoid processing delays, read the forms carefully and include all required information.
Lodging your application
You can lodge your state land application by emailing SLAMlodgement@dnrme.qld.gov.au or by posting it to Department of Resources, PO Box 5318, Townsville QLD 4810.
Payment options
If a fee applies to your application, payment options are cheque (by post) or credit card.
Cheques should be made out to the 'Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy' and marked 'not negotiable'.
Credit card payments are accepted over the phone.
We will send you a receipt once we have established that your application meets all requirements and has been properly made.
Contact us
If you have any questions about lodging your application or payment, contact:
- SLAMlodgement@dnrme.qld.gov.au Phone: (07) 4447 9179
How your application is assessed
We will assess your application against legislative requirements. We will seek the views of other stakeholders (e.g. state, regional and local agencies) and inspect the land if required.
Policies and legislation
Native title
Our review will also include an assessment of whether native title issues need to be addressed, and how this should be done. Depending on the outcome, you may be required to address native titles issues as a condition of the offer.
Other considerations
We will also ensure all outstanding rent on the lease has been paid.
What happens next?
Once we have received the advice of other stakeholders and all issues, including native title, have been investigated, we will send you a written notice.
If your application is successful, a written offer will set out the various conditions and requirements. You must complete the acceptance form and return it to us by the date specified or the offer will lapse.
The requirements that must be met before the offer is considered to have been accepted may include:
- acceptance of term and conditions of the new lease
- the written consent to the conditional surrender of the existing lease from any registered mortgagee or holder of a sublease
- lodgement of a plan of survey, if needed
- payment of all regulatory fees and charges.
The new lease may be issued over a smaller area to enable the state to secure land for other uses such as a road or a reserve for a community purpose.
The Governor in Council or the Minister for Resources grants the new tenure. Once you have accepted the offer and satisfied all conditions, the existing lease will be surrendered the day before the date the new lease commences.
The new lease will be issued subject to all the relevant encumbrances to which the previous lease was subject, and in the same priority order.
Reviews and appeals
If your application is refused solely on the basis that you have not fulfilled the lease conditions, you can appeal against the decision.
Related information
- Read about how rents are determined.
- Find out about your landholder responsibilities.
In this guide:
- Leasing state land
- Applying for a permit to occupy
- Renewing a lease
- Extending a rolling term lease
- Transferring a lease or licence
- Surrendering a lease, licence or permit to occupy
- Converting/purchasing a lease
- Subdividing a lease
- Amalgamating leases
- Amending the description of a lease
- Changing the purpose or conditions
- Obtaining approval for a sublease