Lockyer Valley & Somerset Water Security Scheme

Lockyer Valley and Somerset regions have been consistently working towards water security through advocacy and planning for a considerable period. As agriculture and associated industries are key economic drivers for our regions both local governments identify the importance of sustainable water security for agriculture in their respective strategies. Significant studies have been undertaken. Users have sought to improve the efficiency of water use. Sustainable and secure water supply is fundamental for our regions given our reliance on this resource. This project seeks to secure additional water for farming, business, industry and tourism.

The key benefit of the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Security Scheme is to supplement existing ground water with additional water that is both sustainable and reliable.  The project is dependent on recommissioning the Western Corridor Water Recycling Scheme, which is a decision of the Queensland Government.  A pump and pipeline network is required to deliver water to where it is needed.  Water that is secure and reliable allows users to plan and plant with confidence and provides the greatest returns.

The project will source water from Wivenhoe Dam and connect to the three existing storages of Lake Clarendon, Atkinsons Dam and Lake Dyer.  Modelling, by Jacobs Australia, confirms that with the recommissioning of the Western Corridor Water Recycling Scheme, taking water from Wivenhoe Dam for irrigation will not have an impact on South East Queensland's urban water supply.

Using existing dams to store water will increase the recreational utilisation of the assets through activities such as camping, fishing, boating and BBQ areas. Storages with water are much more likely to attract visitors than empty ones.

The existing Business Case identified the following proposed pump and pipeline network which includes:

• 10 pump stations;
• 297 kilometers of pipeline;
• connections to 251 properties; and
• delivers up to 34,000 megalitres of additional water per annum

These elements are subject to change following the review currently being undertaken.