Queensland Confirms Three Steel Projects With Nearly $2 Billion Investment
Queensland government designates three steel and recycling projects as Prescribed Projects, supporting nearly $2 billion in private investment and job creation.
The Queensland Government has designated three major steel, recycling, and manufacturing initiatives as Prescribed Projects, endorsing nearly $2 billion in private investment across the state to enhance local industry capabilities and supply chains.
Steel Projects Aim to Advance Queensland’s Industrial Base
The Alter Steel Mill Project, Swanbank Steel Mill Project, and Sims Metal Pinkenba Redevelopment Project collectively represent more than $1.9 billion in private-sector investment. These projects are expected to generate thousands of construction and operational jobs in Queensland.
The Alter Steel Mill Project, proposed by Equest Steel Pty Ltd, involves an investment of $1.05 billion to establish a steel recycling and manufacturing facility on a 23-hectare site at Pinkenba. It is anticipated to create up to 600 construction jobs and 216 operational jobs.
Future Forgeworks Pty Ltd plans the Swanbank Steel Mill Project with a proposed investment of $640 million to develop a steel manufacturing facility within the NewGen Business Park at Swanbank. This project is expected to support more than 400 construction jobs and 200 ongoing roles.
Sims is advancing an approximately $215 million staged redevelopment of its Pinkenba waterfront site into a metal recycling, processing, and logistics hub, projected to sustain around 1,090 construction jobs and 140 operational positions.
Coordination and Approvals Framework to Support Project Delivery
The Prescribed Project status activates the Coordinator-General’s powers under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act (1971), facilitating coordination and streamlining the approvals process. Queensland Coordinator-General Gerard Coggan explained that this status provides a “single point of whole-of-government coordination” to manage critical approvals and infrastructure integration without removing statutory requirements.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie emphasised the projects’ role in growing Queensland’s economy and industrial base through private investment and employment generation.
The projects intend to strengthen Queensland’s sovereign capability in steel manufacturing and recycling, aiming to reduce reliance on interstate and overseas steel imports and improve supply chain resilience.
Queensland’s progression of these projects warrants ongoing monitoring of statutory approvals and the integration of infrastructure to ensure timely delivery and operational readiness.
