SEQ-IF program

The Queensland Government has committed funds to the South-East Queensland Irrigation Futures (SEQ-IF) program to improve the efficiency and off-farm impacts of irrigation in the region. 

SEQ-IF, which is a rural water-use efficiency project, is a partnership between the Department of Natural Resources and Water and the major rural industries engaged in irrigation in the region. The program is initially to run for four years, beginning in the 2005–06 financial year.

Aims and activities

The aims of the SEQ-IF program are to achieve:

• gains in water-use efficiency of up to 10% throughout participating industries
• uptake of Farm Management Systems
• changes in on-farm water management practices and/or take-up of more water-efficient equipment and operations
• increased involvement of growers in priority natural resource management issues.

Activities to achieve these targets will include:

• field demonstrations of better irrigation management
• assessments of irrigation systems 
• field trials
• workshops
• extension services
• Development of information packages
• Incentive schemes to assist irrigators
• Research and development
• Regional audits and scoping studies
• Links with the SEQ Regional Water Supply Strategy

How to become involved

Landholders who operate an irrigation enterprise in the South-East Queensland region (from Noosa Shire to the north, Toowoomba City to the west, and the Queensland/NSW border to the south) are eligible to join the program. The SEQ map (PDF, 640 kB)* outlines the region covered by the SEQ-IF program.

The following industry groups and natural resource management body have signed agreements with NRW to take part in SEQ-IF:

• Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation  
  Contact: Adrian Peake
  Tel: 07 3236 2955
  Email: Adrian Peake
• Growcom  
  Contact: Scott Wallace
  Tel: 07 4613 1066
  Email: Scott Wallace 
• Nursery and Garden Industry Queensland  
  Contact: John McDonald
  Tel: 07 3277 7900
  Email: John McDonald
• Queensland Turf Producers Association  
  Contact: Theresa Elliot
  Tel: 07 3488 0916
  Email: Theresa Elliot
• Flower Association of Queensland  
  Contact: Denyse Corner
  Tel: 07 3824 9516
  Email: Denyse Corner
• South East Queensland Catchments Ltd (NRM SEQ)
  Tel: 07 3211 4404
  Email: Geoff McGlashan                  

You can find more information in:

• SEQ-IF brochure  (PDF, 156 kB)*
• South East Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy 
• South East Queensland Regional Infrastructure Plan and Program

*Requires Acrobat Reader