Delays or Approvals? QBS’s Brine Complex Faces Critical Next Steps

• Binding option secured for 10-hectare site in Queensland’s CSG heartland
• Project designed to process half of Queensland’s CSG waste brine with proprietary technology
• Integration with renewable energy infrastructure planned to enhance sustainability
• Development approvals and stakeholder partnerships advancing rapidly
• Lease terms allow up to 50 years, supporting long-term industry waste management

Strategic Site Acquisition Marks Major Milestone

Queensland Brine Solutions (QBS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Parkway Corporate Limited, has secured a binding option to lease a 10-hectare site for its ambitious Queensland Brine Management Complex (QBMC). This site, located in the Western Downs region, sits at the nexus of Queensland’s coal seam gas (CSG) industry and key infrastructure, positioning QBS to address one of the sector’s most persistent environmental challenges – sustainable waste brine management.

The secured land is strategically adjacent to major CSG upstream projects, high-voltage power lines, and a planned renewable energy precinct, enabling QBS to leverage existing infrastructure and integrate green energy solutions into its operations. This proximity is critical for the energy-intensive electrochemical processes planned for the complex.

A Long-Term Solution to a Growing Waste Problem

Since the CSG boom began in Queensland over a decade ago, the industry has generated millions of tonnes of waste salts in the form of brine, currently stored in ponds with no viable long-term disposal method. Traditional salt encapsulation methods carry environmental risks and face strong opposition. QBS’s proprietary technology aims to convert this problematic waste into green chemicals, offering a sustainable and economically attractive alternative.

The QBMC is designed to process at least half of Queensland’s current and legacy brine inventory, with potential to expand capacity to handle all waste brine from the state’s CSG operations and possibly from interstate projects. The lease agreement includes options to extend up to 50 years, ensuring the complex can serve the industry throughout its lifecycle, including final site rehabilitation.

Advancing Approvals and Partnerships

QBS is actively progressing development approvals, with pre-lodgement meetings yielding encouraging feedback from regulatory authorities. The company is also engaged in advanced discussions with upstream CSG producers, liquid waste management providers, chemical industry players, and infrastructure partners. These collaborations aim to integrate the QBMC into existing supply chains and secure long-term renewable energy supply, notably through a conditional power purchase agreement with Crossroads Energy.

Recruitment of experienced executives and expansion of the project team are underway to support the transition from planning to execution. Parkway anticipates that, subject to approvals and funding, construction could commence as early as mid-2026, although timelines remain preliminary.

Industry Impact and Future Outlook

Parkway’s CEO Bahay Ozcakmak highlighted the significance of the site acquisition, emphasizing the QBMC’s role in underpinning the sustainability of Queensland’s $100 billion CSG industry. The project’s innovative approach and strategic location are expected to unlock substantial value for the sector by providing a permanent, compliant solution to brine disposal, a bottleneck that has constrained industry growth.

With unsolicited interest from major interstate players and ongoing strategic evaluations, QBS is positioning itself as a critical enabler of the CSG industry’s environmental and operational future. The company also continues to explore acquisition opportunities to accelerate growth and broaden its service offerings.

Bottom Line?

QBS’s site acquisition sets the stage for a transformative brine management solution, but regulatory and funding hurdles remain ahead.

Questions in the middle?

• How quickly can QBS secure final development approvals and commence construction?
• What commercial partnerships will materialize to support QBMC’s scale and integration?
• Could the technology and model be replicated in other Australian states or internationally?