Brighter Super pumps $75 million into Queensland agriculture and water assets

16 July 2025

Brighter Super will invest $75 million across Queensland agriculture including farmland and agribusinesses, agricultural infrastructure, and water entitlements in the next phase of its $500 million Queensland Investment Strategy.

The investment will be made through the Queensland Riparian Agriculture and Food Transition Trust (QRAFT) which will be managed by Riparian Capital Partners with a focus on partnering with Queensland regional producers to grow their operations.

Brighter Super announced its Queensland Investment Strategy in May 2024, pledging to invest a further $500 million in Queensland assets on top of the $1 billion the Fund already holds in assets in the state. The strategy aims to drive sustainable growth and create lasting positive outcomes for Brighter Super members and their communities.

Riparian Capital Partners is the latest fund manager selected to support the Queensland Investment Strategy which will involve the acquisition of assets including infrastructure, property and agriculture.

Brighter Super Chief Executive Kate Farrar said the new $75 million investment managed by Riparian Capital Partners would support Queensland agriculture, agribusinesses and agricultural infrastructure while aiming to deliver solid returns for Brighter Super members.

Ms Farrar said Queensland agriculture was recognised as a compelling investment opportunity.

This investment with Riparian Capital Partners aims to deliver solid financial returns while contributing to positive social outcomes in regional Queensland, Ms Farrar said.

The strategy will comprise a diversified portfolio across regional Queensland including farmland, water entitlements, regional agricultural infrastructure and agribusinesses.

The mandate will take a diversified allocation model and seek to co-invest with leading producers and agribusinesses across a portfolio of real assets, alongside water investments, diversified by commodity and geography.

Riparian Capital Partners Managing Partner Michael Blakeney said: "Riparian is delighted to be partnering with the high-quality investment team at Brighter Super to implement the QRAFT mandate. The team at Riparian has an extensive history of investing in partnership with leading agricultural producers to deliver strong and sustainable returns, which in turn contribute to regional communities."

Riparian has the capacity to invest across the agriculture supply chain and we recognise the long-term value we generate is directly linked to the stewardship of the assets in which we invest and our social license.

Agricultural sector investments will enhance the diversification of the Fund's overall investment portfolio and can help hedge against inflation as agricultural commodities often rise in inflationary environments.

Riparian Capital Partners was established in 2019 by a founding team with a deep expertise across the Australian agricultural sector. Headquartered in Queensland, the firm is majority owned by its team and supported by Pinnacle Investment Management Group as a shareholder.

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