Queensland's Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Steven Miles has given notice he may intervene in the assessment process for a coal-fired power station proposed by Clive Palmer's company Waratah Coal.
The power station is currently before an outback regional council for development approval.
Mr Miles has given notice of a proposed call-in — meaning he would take over the decision-making process for the development application.
Ministerial call-ins are designed for use in exceptional circumstances and in response to development applications of state significance.
Waratah Coal is seeking to build a new coal-fired power station near the central western Queensland town of Alpha.
The multi-billion-dollar proposal is seeking approval directly from the local Barcaldine Regional Council — a move Mayor Sean Dillon described as a "peculiar" scenario when he spoke to the ABC's 7.30 in September.
Under the local government process, there is no legal requirement for the company to notify the public.
Two Queensland government departments are considering aspects of the proposal.
Mr Miles said the Barcaldine council had done a good job of assessing the project given it was the first time it had had to assess a project of this size.
"The assessment work undertaken by the council will be very useful to the Planning Department in their preparation of advice to me regarding whether the project should be called in for consideration at a state level."
The notice gives 21 days for interested parties to make representations.
In considering whether or not to call in the project, the planning department will look at the outcome of consultation with interested parties and the community, whether there should be a more thorough assessment of water take and whether groundwater or other impacts should be considered by the Commonwealth.
