LOCAL landowners have expressed comprehensive support for the Water forWarrill irrigation project, which has the potential to have a direct economic benefit of $305- million, generate $150-million in new agricultural revenue, and add 1342 new full-time jobs in the region each year.
The Water for Warrill Feasibility Study Report, released by Scenic Rim Council this week, shows there is a likely aggregated demand for21,541ML of water/ annum in the Warrill and Fassifern Valleys at $1000 per ML.
The report was commissioned by the Council, following an approach by a group of local irrigators in late 2020. Industry specialists, Jacobs Australia, completed investment logic mapping and demand assessments with 73 interested parties representing approximately 144 properties in the Warrill and Fassifern Valleys. Buoyed by the report findings, a new entity, Water for the Warrill Ltd has been formed and its board will lobby for Federal and State Government support to progress the project.
Inaugural Board Chairman and vegetable farmer, Richard Gorman, says the Feasibility Study, proves what many locally have long believed – water is the lifeblood of the region and has the capacity to unlock hundreds of million of dollars in investment and job creation for the entire community.
“This project can provide economic stimulus for the whole community, not just producers,” he says.
“Water is not just a product that’s transferred by Government to farmers. It’s actually the lifeblood of the entire community. It sustains agricultural businesses which in turn create jobs and invest money in the local economy.
“The basis of the Water for Warrill project is the belief that a secure, reliable water supply can drought- proof the region, secure the national food supply, enable existing businesses to grow and encourage new businesses to establish themselves in this productive region.
“What the Jacobs Group feasibility study shows is there is broad and compelling community support for a project that provides a new, reliable, well-priced water supply to the region. More than 70 individual parties expressed interest in securing new irrigation water for their properties.”
The Water for Warrill Board features a mix of local business people from horticulture, dairy and poultry. Mr Gorman says the Board will now work to secure government funding and support for the next phase of the project via the Australian Government’s National Water Grid Infrastructure Development Fund.
“It’s not an easy path, but with support of all three levels of government, we are confident that we can realise this water project for the region,” says Mr Gorman.
“Jacobs has advised it will cost up to $7-million to prepare a business case and undertake geotechnical investigations and pre-construction activities to assess the viability of delivering a strategic water solution.
“We have already had positive discussions with Queensland Minister for Water Glenn Butcher, and our local federal, state and local government representatives have expressed support for the project. The next step is to prepare a funding submission for the Australian Government’s National Water Grid Infrastructure Development Fund.”
Deputy Chair Paul Roderick milks 350 cows but has 700 head on farm at Harrisville, including young stock. He put his hand up to be on the board because he believes the region has untapped potential to grow its agricultural base.
“This is an agricultural region and its extremely important to ensure the industry has the ability to thrive and grow,” he says. “There are so many opportunities available to agricultural businesses and to transition new land to agriculture, however they all have a common need – reliable water.We have about 700 head on farm and if we don’t have water we do not have the ability to park the cows and say ‘We’re out until it rains.’
“We have to buy expensive feed and do what we can to keep going. It’s a very quick way to go broke. We need a reliable, secure amount of water to underpin our feed supply.”
Board member and vegetable farmer, Tony Gibb of Gibb Bros Peak Crossing, says he supports the project because he still remembers a period in the early 2000s when drought put a stop to irrigation from the Moogerah Dam for approximately 73 months.
“The idea that we sit out for 73 months due to a lack of water just isn’t an option anymore, no business can come back from that,” he says.
“There’s no off switch in agriculture. Our businesses have commitments to customers, to feed the nation and to provide reliable skilled employment to many people in the local area. The Water for Warrill irrigation project has the ability to provide secure water supply for an affordable price and secure regional investment and jobs.
“We’re very mindful of how we use water – farmers would be among the most conscious water users. At our business we capture the rain that falls on the roof of our factory. We recycle the water from our factory to irrigate our farms. We can’t make water go any further than we already do. I wasn’t surprised by the findings of the feasibility study. I believe that a new secure irrigation source will enable us to grow our business which will have flow-on benefits to many in the region. Water security is paramount to that.”
The Board has engaged GJ Walsh Accountants to manage board activities, provide financial reporting and administrative support.
The Water for the Warrill Ltd website will house project updates and information.
The board encouraged those interested in the project to register for regular news updates on the site
www.waterforwarrill.com.au
The Feasibility Study Report can be downloaded on the website