Garden Comp on hold for 2019

The Lockyer Valley Garden Competition will this year take a hiatus as the region continues to battle one of the most crippling droughts in history.

The Garden Competition forms part of the annual Laidley Spring Festival, the region's flagship event.

The Lockyer Valley local government area was drought-declared in May last year and with no significant rainfall forecast until the end of the year, Council has made the proactive and responsible decision to postpone this year's Competition.

Lockyer Valley Mayor, Councillor Tanya Milligan said the Competition was certainly not cancelled for good, simply put on hold for this year.

"It's been more than a year since the drought declaration and we have received only minimal rainfall since that time.

"Add to that the low levels of underground water, we feel it would be irresponsible to go ahead with this year's Competition.

"Council is aware of the financial impact residents foot to maintain their gardens during times like this and we don't want to encourage any additional use of water until we receive considerable rainfall," Mayor Milligan said.

Residents will instead have the option of registering their gardens in an Open Garden Scheme, to be held during this year's Laidley Spring Festival.

While there will be no prizes or judging, anyone interested is encouraged to register their address for the Scheme, to be held to coincide with the Laidley Spring Festival, during Thursday 12 - Sunday 15 September from 10am - 2pm each day.

"If you're proud of your garden and would still like to show it off, we think this is a great concept," Mayor Milligan said.

A list of registered properties will feature in the Laidley Spring Festival program, on the Festival's website and Facebook page.

If you would like to participate, email at lockyerevents@lvrc.qld.gov.au or download a registration form here. Registrations will close at 4.30pm on Friday 26 July 2019.