Somerset Regional Council Meeting Highlights - 28 October 2026
Published on 02 November 2026
Have your say on Somerset Regional Council’s Biosecurity Plan – Invasive Plants and Animals 2026-2031.
Somerset Biosecurity Plan open for consultation
Somerset residents are encouraged to provide feedback to Council on its draft plan for managing invasive plants and animals.
The draft Biosecurity Plan – Invasive Plants and Animals 2026-2031 was approved for public consultation at Somerset Regional Council’s ordinary meeting on Wednesday, 28 October.
Somerset Mayor and Pest Management Working Group Chair, Jason Wendt, said the plan was designed to ensure resources were targeted towards high priority biosecurity risks through achievable actions.
“The Biosecurity Act 2014 requires all local governments to have a biosecurity plan to address invasive biosecurity matter,” Cr Wendt said.
“The plan is more than just a box-ticking exercise, it details strategic actions for our region and serves as a guide to protect Somerset’s natural environment, agricultural production and social amenity over the next five years.
“Managing biosecurity risk is a shared responsibility between Council, landholders and other government agencies, however Council plays an important role in leading and supporting local biosecurity controls.
“Ultimately, it is the responsibility of all landholders to comply with the Biosecurity Act 2014.
“I strongly urge the community to review the draft plan and provide feedback to Council.”
Consultation opens on Wednesday, 4 November and closes Wednesday, 2 December 2026.
To review the document and provide feedback visit somerset.qld.gov.au/BiosecurityPlan
Council awards Mayoral Gala Charity Ball Fund applicants
Somerset Regional Council has awarded $19,500 to charitable organisations in Kilcoy in the latest round of the Mayoral Gala Charity Ball Fund.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the Kilcoy-Woodford Anglican Parish and Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) Kilcoy Branch were doing important work to support people in Somerset.
“The Mayoral Gala Charity Ball Fund is available to support charities that assist people living from disability, homelessness, trauma, abuse or neglect in the Somerset region,” Cr Wendt said.
“The Kilcoy-Woodford Anglican Parish will receive $12,000 to continue supplying nonperishable foods and hygiene items at St Mary’s Pantry, located in the church hall.
“The Kilcoy QCWA will receive $7,500 to purchase nappies, hygiene items, and frozen and long-life foods for their community pantry.”
The next round of funding will be open from 8 March to 9 April 2027.
For more information, visit somerset.qld.gov.au/Grants
Council to question Minister over lack of public transport in Somerset
Somerset Regional Council will write to Minister for Transport and Main Roads, the Honourable Brent Mickelberg MP, to seek answers on the Department’s plan for public transport in the region.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) only operates two Translink bus services to connect residents to the wider public transport network, route 529 from Toogoolawah to Ipswich and route 896 from Kilcoy to Morayfield.
Somerset Deputy Mayor Helen Brieschke said the limited services were not conducive to the needs of residents.
“This has been a long and difficult journey for Council,” Cr Brieschke said.
“We don’t have a clear picture of DTMR’s strategy for the region’s public transport, or what population or demand threshold would trigger a review of the services.
“So, we’re seeking a deputation with the Minister to get into the nitty gritty of the issue and to seek opportunities for greater public transport in Somerset.”
Mayor Jason Wendt said public transport was not a Council responsibility, but the community still expected action from their local government.
“This is a frustration for us as the local representatives for the community,” Cr Wendt said.
“We’re the lowest level of government so we’re not in control of some of the big issues like public transport.
“What we can do is advocate to the State Government and seek answers, and that’s exactly what we are doing.”
Council to push back on Queensland Fire Department Boundary Review
Somerset Regional Council will lodge a submission with the Queensland Fire Department (QFD) opposing a proposed realignment in its Boundary Review affecting the Rural Fire Service Stanley River Group and Kilcoy area.
Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) Chair, Mayor Jason Wendt, said the proposal created complications for Council and the District Disaster Management Group (DDMG).
“The QFD has proposed transferring the Stanley River Group from the Southern Region to the Brisbane Region, meaning Somerset would be split across two QFD regions,” Cr Wendt said.
“If this boundary alignment goes through, we will be reporting to a DDMG in Ipswich and a DDMG in Caboolture, and everything will be split and duplicated.
“This would create complexity and communication challenges for bushfire planning, mitigation and emergency management activities.”
Cr Wendt empathised with the Stanley River Group, who supported the boundary change.
“The Stanley River Group is a great group with 30 plus years of history, split across Somerset and Moreton Bay, and they existed before the amalgamation of local governments in 2008,” Cr Wendt said.
“They are in a similar predicament to Council, stretched in their administration across two local government areas.
“The volunteers are in favour of this boundary change for the very reasons we don’t want the boundaries to change, because for Council it will duplicate our work, and for ratepayers it will duplicate the costs.
Cr Wendt said in an ideal world, the QFD would leave the boundaries as is, but support the Stanley River Group to operate out of Caboolture.
“If they’re going to change the boundaries, we need a guarantee from QFD they are not going to duplicate the DDMG groups,” Cr Wendt said.
“One of the guiding principles through the whole of the state is to align the boundary areas with the local governments, and this proposal flies in the face of that.”
New members join the Social Plan Advisory Committee
Somerset Regional Council has appointed community advocates Tammy Aplin and Anna Wheildon to its Social Plan Advisory Committee.
Committee Chair Councillor Michael Bishop said the new members would help guide improvements in the quality of life, health and wellbeing of the Somerset community.
“We received strong applications from community members and have appointed Tammy Aplin and Anna Wheildon for their demonstrated commitment to improving the local community,” Cr Bishop said.
“Tammy Aplin has a long history in Somerset and has extensive experience in occupational therapy, education, research, project leadership and community engagement.
“Anna Wheildon has lived in Toogoolawah for forty years, has experience in journalism and volunteering, and is passionate about local community issues like housing, transport, ageing populations and challenges faced by young people.”
Softballer Kaide Szendrey competed at the Queensland Representative School Sport State Championships in the 10-12 years team in August 2026, thanks to funding support from Somerset Regional Council’s Excellence Bursaries program.
Softballers, track and field athletes and more receive Excellence Bursaries
Somerset young achievers have received a boost, with Somerset Regional Council awarding 11 Excellence Bursaries to support residents representing the region at state and regional levels.
The Kilcoy State High School Cattle Club Team received funding support to attend the 2026 Interschool Hoof N Hook in Nanango over 16-18 September.
Three track and field athletes were selected for the Queensland Representative School Sport State Championships (QRSSSC) at Queensland Sport Athletics Centre in Nathan over 12-18 October.
Aria Kirby joined the Sunshine Coast School Sports 10-12 years team while Damon Wood and Isabella Turnbull joined the Metropolitan West School Sport 13-19 years team, with Damon competing in javelin and Isabella competing in discus.
Softballers Lucy and Joshua Bennett will compete in the Australian National Championships in January 2027, with Lucy joining the Queensland U18 Women’s team at West Beach Parks in South Australia and Joshua joining the Queensland U16 Boys team at Blacktown in New South Wales.
Fellow softballer Kaide Szendrey competed with the Sunshine Coast School Sport Regional 10-12 years team for the QRSSSC over 19-22 August.
Benjamin and Grace Jardine visited Canberra between 25 September and 4 October with the Queensland Schools Orienteering team for the Australian Schools Orienteering Championship.
Rugby League player Milla Masters was selected for the Darling Downs Regional U14 Girls team for the QRSSSC at the Gold Coast over 20-23 August.
Young cricketer Ari Jenkinson joined the Sunshine Coast School Sport 10-12 years Boys team for the QRSSSC at Amberley over 14-18 September.
Excellence Bursaries are open year-round to the community, for more information and to apply visit somerset.qld.gov.au/Grants
Somerset starts new Corporate Plan with strong first quarter
Somerset Regional Council has made a positive start under its new Corporate Plan 2026-2031, with its first quarterly report on the 2026-2027 Operational Plan highlighting progress against Council’s strategic priorities.
Council Chief Executive Officer Andrew Johnson said many actions were progressing as planned, translating Council’s new strategic direction into work on projects, advocacy and internal reforms.
“Our new Corporate Plan is already guiding decision making across the organisation, ensuring our projects, advocacy and internal reforms are aligned with Council’s long-term vision, Thriving communities – country lifestyle,” Mr Johnson said.
“Major projects are pushing ahead, including the Lowood Swimming Pool Stage Two Upgrade, Toogoolawah Library and Cultural Centre, Lester Kropp Bridge Replacement and Fernvale Sports Park Netball Courts, while work also continues on strategic initiatives such as the Growth Management Strategy and our ten-year capital works program.
“This quarter has also seen positive outcomes from Council’s advocacy, including Somerset’s transition to the regional waste levy zone, ongoing work through the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Collaborative, and continued engagement with State and Federal governments on key priorities for our region
“The report shows strong progress across the organisation and reflects our Council’s commitment to delivering on the priorities set out in our new Corporate Plan.”
Somerset Regional Council Meetings
Somerset Regional Council will hold its next Ordinary Council Meeting at 9am on Wednesday, 11 November 2026 in the Simeon Lord Room at Esk Library.
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, 28 October 2026 at Glamorgan Vale Community Hall.