News
17 October, 2025
Lockyer Somerset drought project expands
THE Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Security Scheme has welcomed University of Southern Queensland’s Professor Ben Lyons to its Strategic Advisory Group.
Professor Lyons is the director of the Southern Queensland Northern New South Wales (SQNNSW) Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, focusing on building farmer resilience to the impacts of climate change on production and profit, including within the Lockyer Valley and Somerset region.
Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Collaborative Chair Paul Lucas said Professor Lyons would bring significant expertise to the project. “Ben brings a strong track record of working closely with and enhancing the prospects of our agriculture communities across Queensland,” Mr Lucas said. “Through his work with the SQNNSW Innovation Hub, he understands the challenges as well as the opportunities facing our farmers and is a welcome addition to our Strategic Advisory Group.”
Professor Lyons said he was excited by the innovative nature of the project. “This is a project seeking to utilise urban water infrastructure and wastewater to deliver a significant economic and food security benefit to Queensland,” he said. “The Lockyer Valley and Somerset region is already the most important horticulture region in Queensland, despite its historically poor water security. This project will make the region more resilient to droughts and better protect against climate change impacts. Lockyer Valley and Somerset farmers produce daily staples—including potatoes, tomatoes, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, and carrots—near some of Queensland’s fastest growing population areas. Securing the future productivity of this region by making the most of an existing, and growing, resource via the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme is an important drought resilience adaptation for our state.”
Professor Lyons joins a range of peak industry representatives helping to shape and guide the project. Other members include Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers, Greenlife Industry Queensland, the Queensland Farmers’ Federation, Regional Development Australia Ipswich and West Moreton, and the Council of Mayors South East Queensland.
The project aims to utilise the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme, built in response to the Millennium Drought, to provide purified recycled water to supplement the region’s drinking water during drought. To date, the scheme has never been required for drinking water.
A major strategic initiative for the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Regional councils, the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Security Scheme is funded via the SEQ City Deal and aims to provide the State and Commonwealth with an investment-ready scheme by the end of 2026.
To find out more about the Water Collaborative, visit lvandswatercollaborative.com.au.
