Hundreds of megalitres of water are to be made available for new and expanded farms and business to create jobs around Crows Nest, the Southern Lockyer and the Scenic Rim.
Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said expressions of interest were now open for 1275 ML of unallocated water.
“Making more than 1295 megalitres available is another initiative to support Queensland’s economic strategy, Unite and Recover for Queensland jobs,” Dr Lynham said.
“The global coronavirus pandemic has impacted economies across Australia and across the world.
“Part of Queensland’s economic strategy is building on our traditional strengths like agriculture, as well as supporting Queensland businesses to grow.
“Queensland is managing the health response which is why we’ve been able to start delivering Queensland’s plan for economic recovery.
“This area already produces hay, beef and a huge variety or fruit and vegetable crops, and now we want to see if there’s scope for it to get bigger.
“If there’s potential for expanded farming or even a wider range of commercial operations and more local jobs, we want to hear about it.
“Existing farmers could be interested in expanding or diversify a crop in this already proven food bowl; there’s scope for plant nurseries or even new tourism ventures to further cement this region’s foodie credentials.
“Already on the drawing board is the Kalfresh Scenic Rim Industrial Precinct, which could potentially service everything from machinery mainentance to frozen food processing, grain storage, laborotary testing and a farm museum.
“The Scenic Rim is on the doorstep of an already proven economic powerhouse – it is overlaps the Southern Downs food bowl and its robust supply chain and it’s just down the road from the service hub of Toowoomba.”
Landholders have until Sunday, 9 August to express their interest in the additional of water.
Any additional water allocations issued will include conditions to protect the environment and existing water users.
