Prosper 2050 a major boost for SEQ food and water security project
The Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Security Scheme (LVSWSS) has been boosted by its inclusion in the Crisafulli Government’s 25-year primary industries blueprint.
The project has been listed as a key regional action for South East Queensland (SEQ) for the first five years of the Prosper 2050 Strategy, from 2025-2030.
Prosper 2050 sets an interim target of increasing primary industries production in Queensland to $30 billion annually by 2030. The LVSWSS will boost regional food production to $1.7 billion a year.
The inclusion in the State’s signature agriculture policy follows a $5 million vote of confidence funding injection from the Crisafulli Government in the recent State Budget. The new funding will allow the project to deliver a construction ready scheme by 2028.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan and Somerset Regional Council Mayor Jason Wendt welcomed the inclusion of the LVSWSS in the blueprint.
Mayor Milligan said the LVSWSS would secure and substantially expand Queensland’s most important horticultural region.
“We currently have 8,000 hectares under irrigation and a further 15,000 hectares have been identified as ripe for food production,” she said.
“While the focus of our project is about securing affordable and reliable irrigation and industrial water for our region, the key outcome will be significantly enhanced food security for our State and the nation.”
Mayor Wendt said Prosper 2050 recognised the vital role the region played in feeding Queenslanders.
“The Lockyer Valley and Somerset region provides 30 per cent of Queensland’s daily fresh produce and five per cent of the nation’s. With SEQ’s and Queensland’s population fast increasing, our region becomes even more critical to the future food security of our State,” Mayor Wendt said.
“This once in a lifetime project will deliver multiple community and State benefits, including a significant increase in State and regional food security. It will boost the Lockyer and Somerset agriculture sector to be worth up to $1.7 billion annually and secure up to 4,500 ongoing permanent and seasonal jobs.”
The project is seeking to utilise the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme, built in response to the Millennium Drought, to supplement SEQ’s drinking water in drought.
The project is in the process of finalising an updated detailed business case, the Optimisation Assessment Report, for capital consideration by the Queensland and Australian governments.
The LVSWSS forms part of the Water Initiatives in the Lockyer Valley commitment being delivered under the South East Queensland (SEQ) City Deal. The SEQ City Deal is a partnership by the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Council of Mayors (SEQ).
To find out more about the Water Collaborative, visit https://lvandswatercollaborative.com.au/
