Newsletter #14 – September 2026

In this issue

• The Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Security Scheme in the spotlight
• Stakeholder support building
• Update on the new Lockyer Somerset Water company
• Commonwealth Government support for Victorian irrigation scheme
• Social media update

The Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Security Scheme in the spotlight

August was a massive month for our project with two major showcase events and continued positive media coverage as we look to lockdown our Optimisation Assessment Report.

We are on track to deliver our final report to the Queensland and Australian Governments for capital funding consideration by end of September, completing a significant milestone for our project.

Our aim remains securing capital investment from both levels of government before the end of 2027 with our scheme to be fully operational by early 2031 ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games. This timing is important as it will allow a full growing season ahead of the games and provide growers with the confidence to plan for increased production to feed the influx of visitors and athletes.

Whilst people will come for the sport, we firmly believe it is our food and hospitality that will keep them coming back to order Lockyer Somerset produce – locally, interstate, or overseas.

Positive momentum has certainly been building over the past few months:

• More than 120 growers signing on as foundation customers sending the strongest of messages to government
• 17000ML of the 22,000ML scheme effectively pre-sold
• The Queensland Government’s announcement of $5 million to enable the project to commence with pre-construction works, finalise the pipeline route and its approvals approach
• Listed as a key initiative in the State Government’s signature primary industries policy Prosper 2025

Our project remains strongly in the news with a feature in the Courier Mail and a number of radio interviews, showcasing the benefits of the scheme.  This is an important development in taking the story of our project to the broader community of South East Queensland.

The Courier Mail story described Queensland Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett as an enthusiastic promoter of the project.

“I can see no downside,’’ he said. "It delivers certainty, it delivers water that would otherwise go to waste, and it delivers enhanced food security.”

Queensland Parliament gets a taste of our project and the food it will deliver - a strong show of support from our elected representatives.

Over August our project was showcased at two major events attracting key stakeholders and decision-makers.

We took our case to build Australia’s largest recycled water irrigation scheme to Queensland’s decision-makers at Parliament House.

Queensland parliamentarians, advisers and key departmental officers were given a taste of locally grown produce, as part of a concerted effort to increase understanding of our project and its benefits, secure bipartisan support, and the ultimate funding for our scheme.

Cabinet ministers in attendance included Attorney General, the Hon. Deb Frecklington, Minister for Local Government, Water and Volunteers, the Hon. Ann Leahy, Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon. Tony Perrett.  Former Labor Water Minister the Hon. Glenn Butcher, who continues to be a strong supporter of the project, and the Independent Member for Noosa, Sandy Bolton MP, were also among the attendees.

It was very pleasing to receive significant positive feedback from those in attendance.

The event was hosted by Member for Lockyer Valley Jim McDonald who described the project as “a game changer for my region, for our State and the nation”.

Lockyer Valley Mayor Tanya Milligan told the event the scheme would provide “real water security for our region and our farmers for the first time’’ and provide a “a level of certainty for investment for our farmers never before seen.’’

Somerset Regional Council Chief Executive Officer Andrew Johnson said the scheme was the most important infrastructure project for our region in decades.

We thank Jim McDonald Member for Lockyer and his staff for his strong support and assistance in putting on this event.

PROMINENT NATIONAL DEMOGRAPHER BERNARD SALT MAKES THE CASE FOR OUR PROJECT

The Lockyer Valley and Somerset region's potential to feed a growing South East Queensland and Australia was showcased at a major regional breakfast in Plainland in late August.

The breakfast was a joint initiative of the Collaborative and the Lockyer Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism. A big thanks to the Chamber and its team for helping to deliver such a successful event. Thank you also to the event sponsors Infrastructure Project Solutions, Clear Ridge Consulting, Highlander Consulting and GenEng.

Mr Salt told an audience of more 150 local businesses and farmers that our project was a clear example of the types of initiatives that can drive regional prosperity this century.

Mr Salt said, “The forecast global population boom including Australia provides our nation and regional Australia with a unique opportunity to position our country as one of the world’s major food producers.

“Projects like the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Security Scheme are one of the significant keys to unlocking this opportunity. Hopefully it can be the forerunner for other similar schemes across Australia.

“For the Lockyer and Valley and Somerset region you can also add lifestyle and future population growth driven by families wanting to experience all the region has to offer.’’

All in all, Mr Salt painted an incredibly optimistic and positive future for the region. Our project will play a major role in delivering this vision.

STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT CONTINUES TO BUILD - WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING!

Our project continues to build a strong advocacy base with a range of letters of support from key industry groups, universities and local government.

Big thanks to our Mayors who continue to advocate strongly for our project.

Professor Ben Lyons from the University of Southern Queensland

“UniSQ is particularly encouraged by the project’s innovative use of recycled water.  By making productive use of the underutilised Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme, the initiative would create one of the most reliable sources of recycled water in Australia while transforming treated wastewater into a valuable resource for food production."

Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers CEO Scott Kompo-Harms

“The Scheme strongly aligns with QFVG mission to support and develop the horticultural sector in Queensland, as well as the outcomes being sought by the Queensland Government’s signature primary industries strategy Prosper 2050 and the Commonwealth’s National Food Security Strategy, currently under development.”

New Queensland Farmers’ Federation CEO Kylie Porter

“The Lockyer Valley and Somerset are among Queensland's most significant food-producing regions, making a vital contribution to the supply of fresh food for Queenslanders and consumers across Australia. Providing growers with more resilient and reliable water supply options during periods of drought will be critical to sustaining agricultural production, protecting regional economies and strengthening Queensland's long-term food security.”

COMSEQ CEO Scott Smith

“The Lockyer Valley and Somerset region is one of Queensland’s most significant horticulture and food producing regions. Strengthening water security will support agriculture productivity, regional employment and Queensland’s long term food security.”

RDA Ipswich and West Moreton Chair Nicole Jonic

“RDAIWM strongly supports the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Security Scheme and believes it represents an important investment in the long-term prosperity, sustainability and food security of South East Queensland.”

THE NEW LOCKYER SOMERSET WATER COMPANY

Work on the establishment of the new Lockyer Somerset Water company continues. The new structure will ensure the entity meets the State's regulatory requirements for the delivery and construction of the project, and ultimate transition to a locally managed entity for operation. The changes have extended the date set for issue and payment of invoices from the recent water sales process. They have not delayed the business case preparation nor advocacy.

Pending State Government approval, we are aiming to have the new company established by early October with invoices issued by end of October and deposits due by 30 November.

COMMONWEALTH BACKS VICTORIAN IRRIGATION PROJECT

In a very important demonstration of support for projects like ours, the Albanese Federal Government has backed a Victorian recycled water irrigation project in a positive sign for our project.

The Western Irrigation Network (WIN) is a $116 million project jointly funded by the Australian Government, Greater Western Water and the private agribusinesses who will become the network’s foundation customers. The scheme has been commissioned and is now operational.

The scheme will deliver 2400ML a year with the potential to increase to 18,000ML annually over time.

Project Funding

• Total project                           $116M
• Federal                                    $48.1M
• Victorian Government          $65.6M
• Customers                              $2.6M

It was great to note the comments attributed to the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon. Murray Watt and his recognition of the national importance of the agriculture sector.

Minister Watt said:

“Regions not connected to Victoria’s water grid are more vulnerable to dry conditions, relying on local rainfall-dependent water sources – such as small reservoirs, bore water and rivers.

“Through State and Federal partnerships like this, we’re delivering this important investment, strengthening water security, backing regional agriculture and supporting local communities for years to come.”

We continue to engage on a bipartisan basis federally to maintain that strong ongoing support.

For more details on the scheme click below.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Our social media audience is growing across Facebook and LinkedIn with eight posts generating more than 3,000 impressions across the month of August.

Chicken producer Ray Mayne’s video and the Bernard Salt breakfast generated our strongest posts for the month, reinforcing the value of great storytelling.

The LVSWSS forms part of the Water Initiatives in the Lockyer Valley commitment being delivered under the SEQ City Deal, a partnership between the Australian and Queensland governments and the Council of Mayors SEQ, with 29 commitments being delivered to generate long-lasting benefits for the fast-growing region.

The Water Initiatives in the Lockyer Valley commitment is comprised of the LVSWSS and the SEQ Agricultural Water Assessment (SEQAgRWA), which is developing longer-term water security planning for the region. The LVSWSS is funded with contributions from the Australian Government of $10 million and Lockyer Valley Regional Council and Somerset Regional Council of $0.8 million. The Queensland Government has committed $2.5 million to the SEQAgRWA.