By Gerelyn Terzo, Global AgInvesting Media

Brighter Super, a Queensland-based superannuation fund managing over A$34 billion (US$22.6 billion) in retirement savings, is expanding its investment footprint through a partnership with Riparian Capital Partners. The fund has announced a A$75 million (US$49.1 million) allocation targeting agriculture, agribusiness and water entitlements in Queensland. The capital commitment represents the latest phase of a broader A$500 million (US$327.4 million) Queensland Investment Strategy aimed at strengthening exposure to real assets tied to food and water security.

The capital will be invested through the Queensland Riparian Agriculture and Food Transition Trust (QRAFT), an investment vehicle that will be managed by Riparian Capital Partners. QRAFT will follow a diversified allocation model, investing across farmland, water entitlements and regional agricultural infrastructure, with holdings spread across multiple commodities and geographies. By co-investing alongside leading producers and agribusinesses, the strategy aims to balance risk while supporting scalable, high-quality operations across the state.

Riparian Capital Partners is the latest fund manager appointed under Queensland’s Investment Strategy—a state-backed initiative designed to channel institutional capital into key sectors like infrastructure, property and agriculture. These sectors are considered essential to Queensland’s long-term economic resilience. Through this partnership, Brighter Super will leverage Riparian’s expertise in managing diversified agricultural portfolios that combine farmland, water and agribusiness investments, aligning financial returns with broader regional development goals.

This latest commitment reflects a broader trend of institutional capital flowing into Queensland’s agricultural sector, as investors increasingly recognize both its scale and resilience. According to the Queensland Government’s AgTech Roadmap 2023–2028, the state’s agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector contributes more than A$23 billion annually to the economy. Beyond large-scale producers, investment initiatives like QRAFT also create ripple effects for smaller farming communities by introducing capital, technology and market access.

Brighter Super CEO Kate Farrar stated, “This investment with Riparian Capital Partners aims to deliver solid financial returns while contributing to positive social outcomes in regional Queensland. The strategy will comprise a diversified portfolio across regional Queensland including farmland, water entitlements, regional agricultural infrastructure and agri-businesses.”

Riparian Capital Partners Managing Partner Michael Blakeney added: “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.”

Blakeney emphasized that Riparian’s investment approach spans the entire agriculture supply chain, with a focus on responsible asset management. He noted that the long-term value Riparian aims to deliver is closely tied to both how it stewards its assets and its commitment to maintaining strong community and stakeholder trust.

The partnership expands Brighter Super’s Queensland investment portfolio, which already exceeds A$1 billion in assets. By focusing on core agriculture and related infrastructure, the QRAFT mandate is designed to enhance diversification while offering inflation hedging potential—an increasingly valuable trait for institutional investors.

Founded in 2019, Riparian Capital Partners is headquartered in Queensland and backed by Pinnacle Investment Management Group.

Australian Farmland Values

Australian farmland assets posted a modest setback in Q1 2025, according to new data released by ANREV and cited by Riparian Capital on LinkedIn. The Australian Farmland Index reported a total return of –2.1 percent for Q1, reflecting 0.1% income return and a –2.2 percent decline in capital growth.

While quarterly performance dipped, the long-term outlook remains intact. Since the index’s 2015 inception, Australian farmland has delivered a competitive total return of 9.2 percent annually.

Breaking down the results, annual crops saw a slowdown as capital growth leveled off, with income just edging into positive territory. This kept total quarterly returns for annual crops in slightly positive territory at 0.2 percent. Permanent crops, however, faced continued valuation pressures. Despite a stronger 2024 production season and a favorable outlook for 2025, lingering effects from prior years of challenging seasonal and pricing conditions weighed on valuations, which declined by 5.0 percent for the quarter. Income from permanent crops was reported as flat.

The ANREV Australian Farmland Index tracks the financial performance of over five dozen farmland properties across the country, representing more than A$2.2 billion in market value.

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