Newsletter #3 – April 2025

CHAIR'S MESSAGE

The Minister, at the outset, acknowledged the key roles that the Councils and Mayors are playing in the process.

The Minister demonstrated a very comprehensive knowledge of the project and of water issues in SEQ generally. She expressed her, and the State Government’s, real commitment to growing our agricultural sector and the particular importance of the Lockyer/Somerset region.

We acknowledged and welcomed the State Government’s genuine desire to supercharge and future-proof Queensland’s primary industries. We reinforced that the Water for Lockyer Valley Somerset project is a “future proofing” project beyond comparison to any other in the State:

• An existing world class industry.
• Best practice farmers.
• Highly supportive communities and local governments.
• Opportunity to grow even more and adjacent to Australia’s fastest growing region.
• South East Queensland’s road, rail and air transport links of a very high standard.
• A showcase of innovation and food security in the lead up and beyond the 2032 Games.

We are in an era of climate change and uncertainty in water supply, and currently growers are faced with unreliable aquifers and local irrigation while competing with urban users for alternative water sources.

In the past, the reference project has involved purified recycled water (PRW) only.

The Minister acknowledged the importance of exploring both PRW and A+ in the optimisation process and identifying the needs of potential users from their viewpoint.

There is an argument that A+ water might meet our needs at a lower cost. The advantage of this PRW/A+ water is twofold. It is highly reliable and allows farmers and other users to get the best possible supply contracts to secure much better financial outcomes. It is also consistent with policy announced during the State Election campaign that recycled water would never be part of drinking water supply under an LNP Government.

https://online.lnp.org.au/david-crisafulli/news/watertight-water-security-plan-for-qld-future.

The Minister reiterated this policy position that no PRW will be used to supplement water supply in Wivenhoe Dam.

Based on the above it is now our intention to focus the optimisation assessment solely on supply from the Bundamba AWTP.

The Minister was very aware of the benefits to users that more reliable water would bring in terms of higher value contracts and production. The Minister noted that the key focus of the optimisation process is to look at how to bring down those costs to growers. Her commitment to the interests of existing users was well noted.

We were also very pleased to note that the Minister showed interest in the entire water supply chain from the needs of existing and potential users to storage and distribution and to riparian health.

She expressed an interest that the project might facilitate other important initiatives such as loss of soils from farming land into riparian zones and waterways – we noted that this is also a key Federal Government interest.

The Collaborative also reiterated to the Minister its thanks for the strong support of our local State members Hon Deb Frecklington MP and Jim McDonald MP and the dedication of State public servants led by Steph Hogan and Michelle Bordignon

PROJECT UPDATES

• Design and Technical assessment
• Financial, Commercial, Economic and Legal assessment
• Regulatory Review
• Cost Estimation
• Stakeholder engagement.

This is a very important stage as it is specifically intended to look at how we might drive down the costs of the project as far as possible.

We have listened to you and heard you clearly – that cost is a major factor in your demand for water. The optimisation process is about looking, systematically, how we might do that.

With preparation for a number of work packages underway, appointment of Engeny Pty Ltd as the consultant delivering the Design and Technical Package is a significant milestone. Since alignment with State Government water policy is critical, this package is broken in 2 components with early technical analysis already underway.

The Collaborative has also welcomed Mike Foster, former long term communication manager with Seqwater and most recently with Queensland Hydro, to develop our Stakeholder & Communications Strategy. This Strategy will accelerate the high priority advocacy and engagement work required by the project.

The project team is also preparing for the procurement of additional parts of the project due to commence over the next couple of months.

PROJECT UPDATE SESSION

The Collaborative will be providing the broader Lockyer and Somerset community with a project update:

Tuesday, 6 May from 6pm

Porters Plainland Hotel

Update by Collaborative Chair, the Hon. Paul Lucas

DID YOU KNOW

Across Queensland, locally managed irrigation schemes operate under a range of governance models, ensuring flexibility to meet regional needs. In the Lockyer Valley and Somerset, improved water infrastructure could:

• Increase agricultural productivity and economic growth
• Strengthen job creation across farming, agribusiness, and supply chains
• Enhance resilience against drought and climate variability
• Support sustainable water management practices for future generations

Securing water access remains a shared priority for industry, government, and local communities, shaping the future of the region.