Highlights

• Victorian government unveils major reforms to establish itself as a critical minerals hub for renewable energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
• Strategic 10-year Industrial Land Plan will unlock 6,000 hectares and create up to 7,000 jobs with streamlined environmental assessments.
• Initiative aims to boost rare earth processing, battery production, and support emerging industries like wind turbine and electric vehicle manufacturing.

The Victorian government is launching major reforms to position itself as a hub for critical minerals essential to renewable energy technologies and advanced manufacturing. The initiative focuses on faster permitting, industrial land access, and a Critical Minerals Roadmap, aiming to capitalize on the state’s $200 billion critical minerals endowment and create up to 7,000 jobs. The plan also targets boosting rare earth processing and battery production, with a long-term view of supporting industries like wind turbine construction and electric vehicles.

Key components include a 10-year Industrial Land Plan, unlocking over 6,000 hectares to support AU$9.5 billion in activity, and appointing an Investment Coordinator-General to streamline project approvals. Environmental impact assessments will be limited to 18 months, cutting delays by 16 months and reducing costs by AU$155 million for businesses. Critical Minerals Priority Development Zones will identify areas for mining, offering clarity to industries and communities.

Victoria’s significant reserves of zircon, rutile, and ilmenite—critical for renewable energy and electronics—complement its only operating antimony mine, which is vital for batteries and flame retardants. However, challenges remain. The success of reforms depends on balancing environmental protections with expedited processes. Assumptions about market demand, funding sufficiency, and regulatory clarity will need close monitoring to ensure investment confidence.

As reported in Investing News, (opens in a new tab) by combining streamlined permitting with targeted resource development, Victoria aims to enhance its competitive advantage in global critical minerals markets while addressing growing decarbonization needs. This initiative reflects the state’s commitment to innovation and economic growth in the minerals sector.