Somerset Regional Council Highlights - 14 October 2026
Published on 15 October 2026
Mid-Brisbane River reserves uplifted through two-year project
Somerset Regional Council has wrapped up a two-year river restoration project through the Resilient Rivers SEQ Initiative.
The Mid-Brisbane Reserves Project aimed to improve the environmental values and sustainability of public reserves along the Mid-Brisbane River Catchment in Somerset.
Mayor Jason Wendt said the final report highlighted the excellent work undertaken by Council in a short timeframe.
“Our team delivered an impressive program of work across Council managed reserves including Burtons Bridge in Borallon, Savages Crossing and Twin Bridges in Fernvale, Lindemans Road and Lowood Bend in Lowood, Fielding Road in Vernor, and Shines Road in Wivenhoe Pocket,” Cr Wendt said.
“These reserves are popular access points to the river for recreational users, but unregulated activity over time has caused damage to the reserves’ vegetation, wildlife, sediment and water quality.
“This project sought to turn things around, with key works including pest weed treatment, revegetation, formalised access to the river and control measures to prevent irresponsible and damaging activity.”
Across the reserves, the project delivered pest weed treatment to 22.8 hectares of land, regeneration treatment to 50.7 hectares and more than 11,000 square metres of formalised parking and drainage works.
Additionally, 2022 stems were planted for revegetation, 485 metres of bollards and 275 metres of wired fence were installed as exclusion measures, and eight ramps and two stairways were upgraded to create safer river access for recreational purposes.
The Mid-Brisbane Reserves Project is part of the $40 million Resilient Rivers SEQ commitment with $10 million each from the Australian Government, Queensland Government, Council of Mayors (SEQ) and Seqwater.
Resilient Rivers SEQ is one of 29 commitments being delivered through the SEQ City Deal, a partnership between the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Council of Mayors (SEQ), aiming to improve the accessibility, prosperity and liveability of the region.
Somerset Regional Council received 122 survey responses to detailed concept designs for the Kilcoy Streetscape Revitalisation.
Consultation findings guide Kilcoy streetscape designs
Somerset Regional Council received 122 survey responses to detailed concept designs for the Kilcoy Streetscape Revitalisation project during community consultation held in August and September.
Kilcoy Streetscape Advisory Committee members Councillors Tiara Hurley and Stephanie Laycock thanked the community for their input and engagement with the project.
“We had 37 residents come to a drop-in session during consultation, and our team had direct correspondence with key stakeholders including the Kilcoy District Progress Alliance, Somerset Business Chamber, Kilcoy schools and more,” Cr Hurley said.
“As part of the survey we asked residents how they felt about the newly upgraded Aston Park Precinct, which received an average rating of 7 out of 10.
“Our plans for the William Street Feature Arrival Space received an average rating of 5.4 out of 10 with constructive feedback provided by residents.
“As with all major projects, change can be intimidating and we understand the community’s reservations, however the feedback from this consultation process has given our Council confidence in progressing the next stages of the streetscape.”
Cr Laycock said the community’s primary concerns were parking and traffic.
“Maintaining convenient carparking within the town centre is important to Council, and overall the designs provide an additional 15 parking spaces, on top of 18 car spaces and 10 RV and long vehicle spaces already created in the Aston Park Precinct,” Cr Laycock said.
“We received some feedback with concerns about traffic circulation on William Street and at the Seib Street intersection, so Council will assess options for retaining an additional exit from the William Street Service Road.”
For more information on the Kilcoy Streetscape Revitalisation, visit somerset.qld.gov.au/major-projects
Councils win big in disaster recovery funding campaign
Somerset Regional Council celebrated the result of a state-wide advocacy campaign to retain federal disaster recovery funding.
On Friday, 9 October the Federal Government announced it would not cut disaster recovery funding, with the Commonwealth to continue contributing up to 75 per cent to help communities back on their feet after disasters strike.
Mayor Jason Wendt said the decision was the result of a state-wide campaign led by the Local Government Association of Queensland and the State Government.
“This campaign was a lot of hard work from elected members and Council officers,” Cr Wendt said.
“The Federal Government’s proposal would have seen funding reduced to 50%, placing intense funding pressure on the State Government, councils and ratepayers.
“The average person on the street probably doesn’t understand the implications of this, but it had the potential to cost millions and millions to Somerset ratepayers alone.
“This was a massive win for our region and a wonderful result for our combined efforts.
“We would like to thank Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann for his strong advocacy on our behalf.”
Matt Franz of Fernvale won the Best Urban Display in the 2025 Somerset Christmas Lights Competition.
Somerset, let your homes shine bright
Residents are encouraged to decorate their homes for Somerset Regional Council’s annual Christmas Lights Competition, with entries opening Monday, 26 October.
Somerset Councillors Brett Freese and Michael Bishop will judge the 2026 competition alongside guest judge Denise Kunde from Kilcoy.
“Denise and her husband Bevan have been past winners of the competition with a large Christmas lights display every year, always proving popular with residents and visitors to Somerset,” Cr Freese said.
“We look forward to her expertise, touring the region and seeing what Somerset comes up with for 2026.”
Cr Bishop encouraged residents to start planning their displays now.
“We’re inviting homeowners, businesses and community groups to shine bright for bragging rights and their share in a $3,500 prize pool,” Cr Bishop said.
“We have major categories for urban, rural and shopfront displays, the best street, and bonus categories for solar displays, first time entrants and more.
“Entrants will also be included in the 2026 Somerset Christmas Lights Trail, an invitation to residents and visitors to tour the region’s displays in December.”
Stay tuned for more information, visit somerset.qld.gov.au/ChristmasLights
Somerset Regional Council Meetings
Somerset Regional Council will hold its next Ordinary Council Meeting at 11am on Wednesday, 28 October 2026 in the Glamorgan Vale Community Hall at 708 Glamorgan Vale Road, Glamorgan Vale.
The community is asked to contact Council and provide 24 hours’ notice if they plan to attend council meetings.
Meeting agendas, minutes and livestreams are available on Council’s website, visit somerset.qld.gov.au/Council-Meetings
NB: Somerset Regional Council held its Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 14 October 2026 at Esk Library.