Queensland Minister Proposes Call-In of Dreamworld Development Application

Regulatory Spotlight on Dreamworld Development

Coast Entertainment Holdings Limited has entered a critical phase in its pursuit of development approval for its Dreamworld land project. On 1 September 2025, the company disclosed it received a Proposed Call-In Notice from the Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning. This notice signals the Minister's intent to potentially override the usual local council approval process and personally assess the application under the Planning Act.

Economic and Environmental Stakes

The Minister’s rationale for this intervention hinges on the application’s significant implications for Queensland’s economic and environmental interests. Such call-ins are relatively rare and reserved for projects deemed to have substantial state-wide impact. This move underscores the high profile and potential scale of the Dreamworld development, which could influence regional tourism, employment, and environmental management.

Awaiting the Minister’s Final Decision

Following the issuance of the Proposed Call-In Notice, a period for stakeholder representations has commenced. Interested parties, including community groups, environmental advocates, and industry stakeholders, have the opportunity to submit their views before the Minister makes a final decision on whether to formally call in the application. Coast Entertainment has emphasized that it has not yet committed to any specific land use plans pending approval outcomes, reflecting the fluidity of the situation.

Implications for Coast Entertainment and Investors

This development introduces a layer of regulatory uncertainty that could affect the project’s timeline and feasibility. A call-in process often involves a more rigorous and centralized assessment, which can extend approval periods but also potentially streamline decision-making by bypassing local government complexities. For investors, this signals a need to closely monitor the evolving regulatory landscape and the Minister’s forthcoming decision.

Looking Ahead

Coast Entertainment has pledged to keep the market informed as the situation unfolds. The outcome of the call-in process will be pivotal in shaping the future of the Dreamworld development and its role within Queensland’s leisure and entertainment sector.