The Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteer (DLGWV) invites feedback from the South East Queensland farming sector on five proposed options to enhance the region's agricultural water security, with the opening of the SEQ Agricultural Regional Water Assessment consultation.
The department and its technical experts have worked with key stakeholders and interested parties to identify opportunities that would support greater access to water.
DLGWV Executive Director Stephenie Hogan said the study was the culmination of more than two years’ work and research.
“The southeast corner is a significant food bowl in the sunshine state, which supplies to both local and international markets.
“Our team has done significant work to research this region and identify possible options that could improve the reliability and access to water for our farmers. This includes options that have previously been researched, as well as new ideas.
“What we need now is to hear from people in the community who would potentially benefit from these options to understand their view on why they may or may not work to solve water security issues,” she said.
Options on the list are:
- Enhancing water trading: Reviewing the support services and tools available to make water trading more flexible, transparent and accessible for farmers.
- Improving water scheme efficiencies: Exploring infrastructure and technology upgrades to improve the delivery of water to farmers within existing irrigation schemes.
- Unlocking more water at Maroon Dam: Exploring increased water for agriculture from Maroon Dam in the Scenic Rim.
- Exploring groundwater on the Sunshine Coast: Investigating opportunities to enhance the sustainable use of groundwater.
- Increasing recycled water use for agriculture: Investigating how treated recycled water can be safely and effectively used to supplement water supply to farmers.
The SEQ Agriculture Regional Water Assessment focuses on opportunities that could enhance the region’s agricultural water availability and reliability to support sustainable farming and local food security.
The department-led initiative supports agricultural water security across areas of Brisbane City Council, Ipswich City Council, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Logan City Council, City of Moreton Bay, Noosa Shire Council, Redland City Council, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Somerset Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Council, and Toowoomba Regional Council.
This assessment has focussed on opportunities outside of the Water for Lockyer (being led by Lockyer and Somerset Water Collaborative) and the Water for Warrill (being led by the Water for Warrill Group). This recognises these two initiatives have more detailed and focussed works already underway that the Regional Water Assessment sought not to duplicate or interfere in.
The SEQ Agricultural Regional Water Assessment is a component of the Water Initiatives in the Lockyer Valley commitment, part of the SEQ City Deal, a partnership between the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Council of Mayors South East Queensland.
To review the full details of options being presented to the community for feedback, visit the Regional Water Assessment website.
Consultation closes 12 December 2025.
-ENDS-
MEDIA: media@dlgwv.qld.gov.au
Mobile: 0457 228 028