Advocacy in Action | Water

Few issues cut closer to the heart of horticulture than water. It is not just an input. It is the very foundation of our capacity to grow food. With rising input costs, water pricing has become one of the most pressing concerns for Queensland growers.

This year, QFVG put water security and affordability squarely on the political agenda.

In direct representations to Cabinet, QFVG made it clear that removing irrigation water discounts in the current climate was “unfathomable.” Backed by evidence of 30 - 65% increases in production costs across the sector, QFVG demonstrated that maintaining discounts was not optional, it was essential to farm viability and food security.

The outcome was a significant advocacy win. In June, the Queensland Government confirmed it would maintain the 15% irrigation discount for eligible irrigators over the next two years. From 2025/26, this support will be targeted through a certification process to ensure it flows to small or family-run businesses whose livelihoods depend on irrigated primary production. QFVG applauds this decision. It is a practical acknowledgment that water and energy remain the two most powerful levers the State can pull to support food security.

But the story doesn’t end here. Prices have been locked in only for two years, while the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) continues its review of irrigation pricing, including whether to adopt a Regulated Asset Base approach from 2027/28. Submissions to the QCA’s Price Path Review raised serious concerns from growers, particularly around escalating fixed Part A charges that must be paid even when water isn’t available. This is a fundamental fairness issue and one QFVG will continue to fight on.

For now, growers can take pride in the advocacy that secured immediate relief. The 15% discount represents more than just a saving on paper - it is a recognition of the vital role Queensland horticulture plays in feeding our communities. But as with so many areas of policy, vigilance is key. The next round of pricing decisions will shape the sector’s future competitiveness, and QFVG will be at the table ensuring that water policy never drifts from its core purpose: enabling Queensland to keep growing food.