Somerset Regional Council Highlights - 18 September 2026
Published on 18 September 2026
The Toogoolawah Swimming Pool and Community Gym Upgrade is a nominee for the IPWEA-QNT Excellence Awards Projects $5 Million to $10 Million category.
Somerset engineering projects in the running for IPWEA awards
Somerset Regional Council is proud to announce it has four projects in the running for the 2026 Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia Queensland and Northern Territory (IPWEA-QNT) Excellence Awards.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the nominations demonstrated Council’s dedication to delivering high-quality infrastructure for the community.
“The awards recognise roadworks and community infrastructure which help keep communities connected, support growth and improve everyday life,” Cr Wendt said.
The following Council projects are in the running:
- Projects $5 Million to $10 Million: Toogoolawah Swimming Pool and Community Gym Upgrade
- Projects $2 Million to $5 Million: Toogoolawah Biarra Road Widening
- Projects Under $2 Million: Lowood Shared Cycleway
- Road Safety: Minden State School Carpark
The winning projects will be announced at the 2026 IPWEA-QNT Annual Conference in October.
Flood siren testing in Fernvale and Lowood
Somerset Regional Council will test its community flood early warning sirens on Thursday, 29 October, between 12pm and 1pm.
The audible testing will occur at the region’s two dedicated warning stations in Fernvale on Schmidt Road, and Lowood at the SES building on Lindemans Road.
Somerset Local Disaster Management Group Chair, Mayor Jason Wendt, said there was no cause for alarm during the test.
“No action is required during the siren tests and evacuation and emergency protocols do not need to be followed,” Cr Wendt said.
“Residents and business owners in the surrounding areas may hear the sirens activate multiple times throughout the hour.
“This is a diagnostic test to ensure the system is fully operational ahead of the upcoming storm season.”
Council maintains these outdoor warning sirens as a critical layer of defence for low-lying areas, providing an audible alert in the event of severe, rapidly rising river flooding.
In a real flooding emergency, residents should not rely solely on the sirens.
The community is urged to download the Bureau of Meteorology App, monitor local radio including ABC 612 (AM) and River 94.9 (FM), and stay informed through Council’s Disaster Dashboard at disaster.somerset.qld.gov.au
Listen to the siren and learn more on Council’s website: somerset.qld.gov.au/FloodSirens
Spooky event for Somerset families with PCYC Fernvale
Join Somerset Regional Council, Somerset Blue Light and PCYC Fernvale for Spooky Somerset at the Fernvale Indoor Sports Centre on Thursday, 29 October.
The popular event has changed locations from Clock Park in Lowood to an indoor venue to ensure the fun can continue rain, hail or shine.
From 4pm on Thursday, 29 October, little monsters, wicked witches and scary skeletons will come together and show off their spooky costumes at Council’s free Halloween event.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said Spooky Somerset was a great evening for the community.
“We’ll have free activities including a photo booth, music, face painting, best dressed prizes, and information stalls with craft activities and give-aways,” Cr Wendt said.
“At 6.30pm we’ll put ‘Minions and Monsters’ (PG) up on the big screen, so make sure to bring your own chair and picnic blanket.”
For more information, contact Council on 5424 4000 or mail@somerset.qld.gov.au
Coominya State School has a new bike track on its grounds to complement its ‘Wheels Up’ bike safety program.
Repurposed material supports Coominya State School road safety track
Coominya State School students have celebrated the opening of a new road safety track designed to support practical bike safety education.
Mayor Jason Wendt said Council supported the project by donating end-of-life road signs and old road spoil that were no longer suitable for Council operations.
“The school has installed a bike track on its grounds to complement its ‘Wheels Up’ bike safety program,” Cr Wendt said.
“This project is a great example of how Council can support a small school when the timing of a request aligns with end-of-life materials being available for beneficial reuse.”
The signs were destined for scrap-metal recycling, while the road spoil was unsuitable for Council road construction and had no residual value.
“Repurposing these materials has supported a valuable road safety program for young people while making responsible use of Council resources.”
Mayor Wendt, together with Deputy Mayor Helen Brieschke and Councillor Michael Bishop, attended the opening of the road safety track on Wednesday, 16 September 2026.
One of more than 700 photos uploaded to Somerset Stories is this picture of Harlin School House, taken as part of a heritage survey in 2002.
Help identify Somerset’s heritage
More than 700 historic photographs have been uploaded to Somerset Stories, an online collection celebrating the people, places and events of the region.
Somerset Libraries are calling on local knowledge to help bring the collection of photos to life.
Somerset Regional Council Arts, Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee Chair, Councillor Sally Jess, said the images were taken in 2002 as part of a heritage survey by Esk Shire Council and National Trust Queensland.
“These pictures capture the homes, businesses, community and sporting venues, monuments and scenic views across towns including Brightview, Coolana, Fernvale, Glamorgan Vale, Lowood, Prenzlau, Tarampa, Esk and Toogoolawah,” Cr Jess said.
“Many of the buildings and locations pictured have not yet been identified, so Somerset Libraries is inviting community members to share their local knowledge.
“If you recognise a place, you can suggest details such as its street address, business name, history or any other information that may help complete the record.”
Cr Jess said community contributions were already making a difference.
“One photograph originally listed simply as ‘Unidentified House’ has now been recognised as the Harlin School House, an identification that would have been very difficult without help from people familiar with the area.
“Every contribution helps preserve valuable information for future generations.
“Your knowledge could be the missing piece that gives an unidentified image its name and story.”
Visitors can also add tags, pin locations on the map, share memories and suggest edits to other items in the collection.
To explore the photographs and share your local knowledge visit Somerset Stories: somerset.recollect.net.au
Come and Chat with your Somerset Councillors in Fernvale
Somerset Councillors are hosting an evening ‘Come and Chat’ session in Fernvale on Wednesday, 30 September.
The Come and Chat session will be held from 6pm-8pm at the Fernvale Visitor Information Centre in Fernvale.
Due to other commitments, not all Councillors may be in attendance.