Progress has been made on a $1.7 billion development in western Queensland, which proponents says will see 300 to 400 natural gas wells created, along with 1600 production jobs.

QCG has announced that the development known as ‘Charlie’ will be a major investment for the future of its operations.

“This is a vote of confidence in the secure, long-term future of Queensland's natural gas industry, which will employ Queenslanders for many years to come,” QCG Managing Director Tony Nunan told reporters on Monday.

The investment follows official approvals from federal and state government environmental authorities.

The new funds have been approved by QGC’s parent company BG Group and joint venture partners China National Offshore Oil Corporation and Tokyo Gas as well.

The project is part of QGC's development of tenements in the Surat Basin and its Queensland Curtis Liquefied Natural Gas (QCLNG) plant on Curtis Island, near Gladstone.

“This is a vote of confidence in the secure, long-term future of Queensland's natural gas industry, which will employ Queenslanders for many years to come,” QGC's managing director Tony Nunan said.

Queensland development minister Anthony Lynham say it is a “very exciting economic and employment boost” for the state.

“It underlines the importance of the CSG-LNG (coal seam gas to liquefied natural gas) industry in generating jobs and royalties for the budget,” Dr Lynham said.

“The new development of a new natural gas resource is also good news for domestic consumers, with export and domestic demand for gas on the east coast forecast to almost treble by 2020.”

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche said it would be of great benefit to communities in the area.

“Queensland has led the way in developing a world-class natural gas industry and the announcement of another major development is testament to the confidence that proponents have in the industry,” he said.