Stakeholder Advisory Group Formed to Back Water Security and Agricultural Futures in Lockyer Valley and Somerset

A new Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) has been formed to support the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Collaborative, a regional initiative aimed at strengthening agricultural and industrial water security. This group will play a critical role in helping shape the future of the project, ensuring it aligns with key stakeholder priorities and contributes to a strong, evidence-based business case.

The project proposes the remobilisation of the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme (WCRWS), originally built during the Millennium Drought to supplement South East Queensland’s drinking water supply. Although the scheme has never been used for potable supply and has remained in care and maintenance since 2013, there is now a push to harness it for regional irrigation and industrial use.

With the Lockyer and Somerset regions already producing 40% of Queensland’s fresh fruit and vegetables—and 5% of the nation’s—the potential to exceed $1 billion in annual production hinges on reliable water access. The Collaborative aims to future-proof this critical agricultural region by building the water resilience needed to meet growing national and international food demands.

Inaugural SAG members include the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers (QFVG), Regional Development Australia Ipswich & West Moreton, Irrigation Australia, Healthy Land and Water, Nursery and Garden Industry Queensland, and the Council of Mayors of South-East Queensland (COMSEQ). The group met for the first time on 1 July 2025 and will convene quarterly as the project develops.

The initiative is further supported by educational and workforce development efforts, including the Growing a Career in Horticulture booklet developed by AUSVEG. This resource available here highlights diverse career pathways in horticulture and reinforces the need for skilled professionals in roles ranging from agronomy and farm management to environmental science and supply chain logistics.

With a spotlight on the importance of regional water planning, the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Collaborative’s work—outlined in more detail at lvandswatercollaborative.com.au—not only addresses critical infrastructure needs but also underscores the future of agriculture as a dynamic, career-rich sector. As the industry grows in complexity and importance, initiatives like this support both economic sustainability and the development of the next generation of agricultural leaders.