Growers snap up 70 per cent of groundbreaking water project’s capacity
Published on 10 July 2026
Lockyer Valley Mayor Tanya Milligan and Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt.
MORE than 100 growers have signed on as foundation customers of the groundbreaking Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Security Scheme (LVSWSS).
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan and Somerset Regional Council Mayor Jason Wendt today released the outcome of the project’s initial water sales, as they welcomed a $5 million funding injection by the Crisafulli Government as part of this year’s State Budget.
The Mayors said the new funding would provide the Queensland and Commonwealth governments with a construction ready project by 2028.
Across April and June, local growers signed up to more than 15,000ML or almost 70 per cent of the scheme's capacity of 22,000ML.
The scheme aims to secure the highest quality recycled water from the underutilised Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme (WCRWS) to increase the region’s irrigation water supply by 50 per cent annually. It will be the largest recycled water irrigation scheme in Australia and significantly increase water supply reliability and security to growers in the region for decades to come.
Mayor Milligan said the $5 million in funding represented a major step forward.
“This is a real demonstration of the Queensland Government’s commitment to regional communities and to the farming sector,” Mayor Milligan said. “We also thank Member for Lockyer Jim McDonald for his ongoing support and advocacy for this project.
“The Lockyer Valley and Somerset region is already one of our State’s most important food bowls, supplying 30 per cent of Queensland’s and 5 per cent of the nation’s fresh produce each year. This investment brings us closer to strengthening food security for Queensland and the nation.”
Mayor Wendt said recent water sales confirmed strong grower support and a willingness to invest.
“To already have 70 per cent of the scheme’s supply earmarked is a tremendous outcome, and shows demand for reliable and affordable water is well and truly there,” Mayor Wendt said.
“Our economic assessment of the scheme shows it will increase agricultural output in our region by $270 million to almost $1.7 billion annually, which is a great outcome for the region, the State and the nation.
“This will provide our region with real water security for the first time. It’s a gamechanger for our growers, local business, industry and the community.”
A full copy of the project’s economic analysis is available at lvandswatercollaborative.com.au
For more information about the water sales process, contact admin@lvandswatercollaborative.com.au
The project will finalise its Optimisation Assessment Report for capital consideration by the Australian and Queensland Governments in August 2026.
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).
The Mayors speaking with Lockyer Valley grower Brock Sutton.