Overview of the Lockyer Valley Spanning more than 2200 square kilometres, the picturesque Lockyer Valley sits less than an hour’s drive west of Brisbane and is known for its expansive farmland, fertile plains, stunning mountain ranges and rolling hills. With its combination of luscious dark
The region is bounded by the Toowoomba
alluvial soils and irrigable groundwater,
local government area (LGA) to the west,
the Lockyer Valley is rated as one of the
Somerset LGA to the north, Southern
most fertile and productive agricultural
Downs LGA to the south and Ipswich City
regions in the world and is fondly known as
LGA and Scenic Rim LGA to the east.
‘Australia’s Salad Bowl’.
The Warrego Highway runs through the region, making it well connected to major
Home to 45,000 people, the region has
transport routes.
experienced an average growth rate of 1.9 per cent over the past five years and is
Boasting a multicultural background, 14 per
expected to reach a population of 57,000
cent of residents were born overseas and
by 2046. The median age is currently 39
almost 2100 identify as Aboriginal and/
and is anticipated to be 44 by this time.
or Torres Strait Islander. The traditional custodians of the land are the Yuggera and
The Lockyer Valley has a population
Ugarapul people.
density of 19.83 persons per square kilometre and is made up of 77 localities
In addition to its expansive farmland, the
(suburbs), including a mix of smaller
Lockyer Valley’s national parks and natural
townships, quaint villages and the larger
beauty makes it the perfect playground
commercial hubs of Gatton, Laidley,
for bushwalking, birdwatching, mountain
Withcott and Plainland.
biking, water sports and caravan and camping stays.
With a relaxed and friendly country lifestyle and easy access to Queensland’s
The Lockyer Valley has a strong sense
capital city, the Lockyer Valley continues
of community, and its toughness and
to attract people seeking a better
resilience in the wake of natural disasters
work-life balance and an affordable
is well known.
place to raise their family. Council continues to work with a wide Population growth provides the region with
range of stakeholders to attract millions
exciting opportunities to create increased
of dollars’ worth of trade opportunities
housing development for those wanting to
and investment into the region – such as
call the Lockyer Valley home.
the Water for Lockyer Project, new housing developments and the Lockyer Valley Equine Precinct.
Annual Report 2024-25 9.