It says that the Lockyer Valley is a major agricultural production area in Australia and known as the salad bowl of Queensland. The Valley’s 3000 square kilometres of alluvial soils are recognised as some of the most fertile in the world. Around 13,000 hectares of irrigated land in the Lockyer produce about 35 per cent of Queensland’s vegetable supply valued at more than $160 million annually.

The industry body believes that the economic contribution of the industry is far greater than just the value of crop production. The horticulture industry is a major employer within the Lockyer Valley Council area and also brings much needed tourism revenue to the region through the employment of backpackers. An individual farm can employ up to 400 seasonal workers each year, all of whom need to be accommodated and fed within the region.

Growcom, as the peak industry body for the Queensland horticulture industry, strongly supports the objectives of sustainable water management and the principles of ecologically sustainable development as articulated in the Water Legislation Amendment Bill 2015. In particular, it supports the principle that decision-making processes should effectively integrate both long-term and short-term economic, environmental, social and equitable considerations.

For this reason, it is imperative that any new management arrangements do not jeopardise the productive capacity of the Valley.

The Department’s statement of proposals does not give any clear understanding of how allocations will be determined and the scientific basis for decisions. Growcom urges the Queensland Government to invest in the key scientific studies and provide alternative water supply options that will ensure that community expectations are met around ongoing fruit and vegetable production and environmental objectives.

Moreover, it is concerned that the statement of proposals does not capture all of the Lockyer Valley. This in itself will cause major inequities between those producers whose access to water is unchanged and those who will potentially have access to less water at a higher cost.

As a minimum Growcom recommends that a social and economic impact study should be undertaken which cross references the crop water use requirements with the proposed allocations and determines the ongoing viability of key crops.

The industry body says it has worked closely with the growers in this region for many years through the Queensland government funded Rural Water Use Efficiency Initiative (RWUEI), the Lockyer Valley Growers Association and the Lockyer Water Users forum. It understands the deeply held concerns of the local growers. Growcom adds that it also works closely with another peak industry body, the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), and endorse the positions articulated in their submission.

Growers are deeply concerned by the potential consequences of this proposal as evidenced by their strong attendance at recent meetings. Growcom urges the Department to consult widely and effectively. The perspectives of the landholders, many of whom are fourth generation farmers in this area, must be appropriately considered.