Chamber welcomes Hampton Irrigators to the fold amid dispute with Toowoomba Regional Council

In recent years, the Hampton region’s horticulture and tourism industries have flourished. The Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce says that’s down to one reason – and it’s under threat.

The Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce says the Hampton region’s flourishing horticulture and tourism industries can be directly attributed to water security.

Water security for primary producers in the area has been provided by The Hampton Irrigators Scheme since 2004 as a result of a $2 million investment by participants.

But in recent months, an ongoing dispute between the Hampton Irrigators and Toowoomba Regional Council over access to water has wound up in the Supreme Court, twice.

The court has reserved its judgement on a dispute over a clause in the original agreement that ensured the farmers could access water until 2032.

Water is the life blood of horticulture and the scheme’s supply of water has enabled growers to explore and expand new crops including blueberries, raspberries, native finger limes and rhubarb.

Toowoomba Chamber CEO Todd Rohl, said The Hampton Irrigators Scheme, which originated as a self-help, grassroots initiative driven by bold ambitions, built on the rich traditions of the region.

The benefits of the scheme not only directly benefit the growers, but Hampton has been the centre of a tourism resurgence in the past 12 months with the advent of the High Country Hamlets micro-region tourism organisation.

“The scheme has delivered consistent water supply and was vital to the Hampton area during the Millennium Drought and, up until recently, during the current drought,” Mr Rohl said.

“The growers in the scheme currently irrigate 80 hectares and predominantly serves the booming avocado industry, but smaller holdings of other crops also benefit, serving a local, national and international markets.

“The scheme allows us to eat local produce in our local eateries and creates local jobs employing a permanent workforce of 20 and a significantly larger seasonal workforce of approximately 45 in any one year.

“Much of that money is directly and indirectly redistributed to local small businesses through wages, machinery repair and maintenance, fuel, fertilisers, mulch and other on and off farm expenses.

“The water security available through the scheme is required to give growers the confidence to invest further in on-farm water conservation measures and potential new plantings, further showcasing the regions rich tradition in agriculture.”

Toowoomba Chamber welcomes The Hampton Irrigators as new members and looks forward to working with them to drive continued success in the Hampton region.

Originally published as Chamber welcomes Hampton Irrigators to the fold amid dispute with Toowoomba Regional Council