Recycled water from Caboolture has helped a Wamuran berry farm extend its strawberry season into early December, well beyond its previous late-September finish. Other growers are now being invited to explore the same water supply at an upcoming farmer showcase.
Unitywater and City of Moreton Bay will hold the Wamuran Irrigation Scheme Farmer Showcase at Caboolture Hub on Wednesday 21 October 2026, bringing together farmers, industry experts and agricultural leaders to discuss the scheme and opportunities for more properties to connect.
A Longer Season for Wamuran Strawberries
Pinata Farms, one of the scheme’s foundation customers, has been using recycled water to irrigate its strawberry and raspberry crops in Wamuran. Managing Director Gavin Scurr said the dependable supply had given the business greater confidence to invest in improved growing systems. Strawberry production, which typically finished in late September, can now continue into early December.
Water security is also behind a planned move by Greenstock Nurseries, a wholesale nursery relocating its operations from Elimbah to Wamuran to connect to the irrigation scheme. Owner Amy Handy said the business uses approximately 800,000 litres of water each day during summer. Its current reliance on dam water involves pumping and treatment, while changing weather conditions can disrupt production planning.
Connecting to Unitywater’s infrastructure would remove the need to treat dam water for that supply, with Ms Handy also expecting better water quality to reduce disease risks for crops. She said having a dependable source of irrigation water would provide greater production certainty and help protect job security for the nursery’s 120 employees.
From Caboolture’s Treatment Plant to Wamuran Farms
Officially switched on in March 2025, the Wamuran Irrigation Scheme redirects treated water from the Caboolture South Wastewater Treatment Plant to agricultural properties. The infrastructure provides year-round access to Class A recycled water, allowing participating farms to irrigate without depending solely on rainfall. Reusing the treated water also reduces nutrient discharges into the Caboolture River and Moreton Bay.
Unitywater Executive Manager Customer Delivery Rhett Duncan said reliable irrigation could allow farmers to convert dryland or less productive paddocks into cropping areas. The supply also gives growers greater certainty when planning future production and agricultural investment. The scheme operates under an approved Recycled Water Management Plan covering treatment and monitoring processes to meet Australian water recycling guidelines.
Mr Peter Flannery identified the water scheme as another option for growers working within the region’s $1.8 billion food and agribusiness industry, particularly those managing the challenges of agricultural production. Unitywater CEO Anna Jackson and City of Moreton Bay Head of Economic Intelligence Kerrianne Haggie are scheduled to present at the showcase, alongside farmers already participating in the scheme.
The showcase will run from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Caboolture Hub, 4 Hasking Street, Caboolture. Growers interested in attending can RSVP by Wednesday 14 October through Unitywater’s Wamuran Irrigation Scheme website.
Published 7-October-2026
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