Leases, licences and permits to occupy

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.

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 in person at your nearest business centre, by emailing to SLAMlodgement@dnrme.qld.gov.au or by posting it to Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, PO Box 5318, Townsville QLD 4810.

Payment options

If a fee applies to your application, payment options are cash (in person only), EFTPOS (in person at some centres only), cheque (in person or 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 in person or 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

You can contact your nearest business centre to arrange a pre-lodgement meeting.

How your application is assessed

We will assess your application against legislative requirements and our own policies, procedures and guidelines. We will seek the views of other stakeholders (e.g. state, regional and local agencies) and inspect the land if required.

Policies and legislation

• Land Act 1994
• Eligibility and assessment to hold land (PDF, 540KB)
• Land holdings: early renewal and conversion of leases (PDF, 626KB)

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 Natural Resources, Mines and Energy 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.