Somerset Regional Council Highlights – 12 December 2025

Published on 12 December 2025

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann met with Somerset Councillors in Esk on Tuesday, 9 December to discuss key projects and priorities within the region.

Council closures over Christmas and New Year holiday period

Some of Somerset Regional Council's facilities will be closed for the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Council facilities will close 5pm Wednesday, 24 December 2025 and reopen with normal business hours on Monday, 5 January 2026.

For open hours for sport facilities, visitor information centres and waste transfer facilities during this period, visit somerset.qld.gov.au/EOY2025closures

Customer Service Requests received during the holiday period will be serviced in the new year.

Residents are advised to place their wheelie bins on the kerb before 6am on their regular collection days, including public holidays.

For Council emergencies during this time, call 5424 4000.

Councillors meet with Federal Member for Blair

Somerset Regional Council advocated for the region’s key projects and priorities with Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann on Tuesday, 9 December.

Somerset Councillors welcomed Mr Neumann to Council’s Esk office, just two days after the local member opened his new satellite office on the Brisbane Valley Highway in Fernvale.

Mayor Jason Wendt said the discussion covered a range of significant ongoing and future works.

“We discussed Mr Neumann’s and the Federal Government’s 2025 election commitments for Somerset, including upgrades for the Lowood Swimming Pool and the Fernvale Sports Park netball courts,” Cr Wendt said.

“We gave updates on Federal Government funded projects including the Lester Kropp Bridge Replacement in Villeneuve and the Fernvale South Productivity Link along Muckerts and McCulkins Lanes.

“Council shed light on its plans for the Lowood Futures Strategy and the Kilcoy Streetscape Revitalisation projects, and there was also lengthy conversation around funding for Brisbane Valley Highway upgrades.

“We thank Mr Neumann for lending his ear and taking the time to understand Somerset’s needs.”

Mr Neumann said he was proud to represent the Somerset and would always fight hard for a fair share for the region.

“I have a strong record of delivering for the Somerset region over the years, including funding for the Blacksoil Interchange, Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, and NBN and school upgrades, just to name a few,” Mr Neumann said.

“I’ve been pleased to work the Council to secure a number of recent commitments, such as Brisbane Valley Highway, Lowood Swimming Pool and Fernvale netball court upgrades, and I look forward delivering on these and more into the future. 

“In addition, I have just opened a new satellite office in Fernvale – the first Electorate Office for a Federal or State MP in the region – so I can better service local constituents.”

Cool down with Council’s Summer School Holiday Program

The summer school holidays are right around the corner and Somerset Regional Council has activities galore at its libraries and swimming pools.

Beat the summer heat with free entry to Council’s Pool Movie Nights across the region, with gates opening from 3pm on the following dates:

• Friday, 12 December at Kilcoy Aquatic Centre – Despicable Me 4 (PG)
• Wednesday, 17 December at Toogoolawah Swimming Pool – Paddington in Peru (G)
• Friday, 19 December at Lowood Swimming Pool – Despicable Me 4 (PG)

The Pool Movie Nights also include a free sausage sizzle and a special visit from Santa.

Join Somerset Libraries for a range of Christmas activities perfect for kids of all ages from Monday, 15 December to Friday, 19 December.

Then, from 5 to 23 January, have a go at hand themed craft, badge making, Lego creations, paper spinners and more activities at Somerset Libraries.

For more information on Council’s School Holiday Program, visit somerset.qld.gov.au/SHP

Somerset Regional Council meetings enter a new age

Continuing to modernise how residents engage with Council decision-making, Somerset Regional Council has launched its new online platform for meeting minutes and agendas for the final Ordinary Meeting of 2025.

Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the new platform makes it easier than ever to access information about Council’s Ordinary Meetings.

“Where previously our minutes and agendas were uploaded as large PDF documents to our website, the new platform will make it easier to navigate agenda items, view resolutions and to listen to Councillor comments on respective items,” Cr Wendt said.

“The platform is more accessible, transparent and works in real-time, allowing residents to better understand Council’s decision-making process.”

Cr Wendt said the upcoming software upgrade was just one of many recent initiatives being delivered to modernise how residents access information and engage with their Council.

“In September this year we launched our brand-new website, followed shortly by our new, streamlined online Customer Service Request system,” Cr Wendt said.

“The new meeting agenda platform is now live, in time for our final meeting for 2025 on Thursday, 18 December.”

Visit: somerset.qld.gov.au/Council-Meetings

Nominate now for the 2026 Somerset Australia Day Awards

Somerset Regional Council is calling on the community to help celebrate the outstanding contributions of local individuals, groups and events by nominating them for the 2026 Somerset Australia Day Awards.

The annual awards shine a light on the people and organisations who make a positive difference across the region.

Award categories include Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Arts and Culture Award, Sports Award, Community Group of the Year and Event of the Year.

Residents have until 5pm, Sunday 4 January 2026 to nominate an unsung hero.

Nomination forms are available from Council’s website: somerset.qld.gov.au/AustraliaDay