Somerset Regional Council Highlights - 3 July 2025
Published on 03 July 2025
Join Somerset Regional Council in celebrating the region’s rich cultural tapestry at the Kilcoy Multicultural Carnival on 24 October. Pictured: the Vanuatu dancers at the 2024 Kilcoy Multicultural Carnival.
Council proposes postal voting for by-election
Somerset Regional Council will write to the Minister for Local Government and Water to request a postal ballot for the upcoming by-election.
Council advised the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) of a vacant Councillor position following former Councillor Kylee Isidro’s resignation announcement on 18 June.
Under the Local Government Act 2009, if a vacancy occurs between the first and third anniversary of the local government election, it must be filled by a by-election.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said Council has the option of an attendance election or a postal ballot.
“Given the largest ECQ expense is for wages associated with counting votes and resourcing polling stations, we expect a postal ballot would be the cheaper option,” Cr Wendt said.
The expenses associated with the by-election were not accounted for in Council’s 2025-2026 Budget.
“A budget review will likely be required during this fiscal cycle,” Cr Wendt said.
“We don’t know the exact cost of running the by-election, this will be determined by the ECQ.
“However, the 2024 local government election cost Council $199,814.
“We want to make this process as simple and cost-effective as possible for our residents, who have already had local, State and Federal elections in the past two years.
“A postal ballot will help address voter fatigue with a convenient way for voters to participate without attending polling stations in person.”
Somerset joins LGAQ’s call to #BinTheTax
Somerset Regional Council has joined the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) to raise awareness about the impacts of the State Government’s waste levy.
The #BinTheTax campaign is a coordinated effort to call on the Queensland Government to halt the waste levy until the DRAFT Queensland Waste Management Strategy 2025-2030 review was complete.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said Council was required to pay more to the State Government for every tonne going to landfill from July 1.
“The waste levy for the 2024-2025 financial year was $115 per tonne, and is increasing to $125 per tonne in 2025-2026 – nearly a 9% rise in cost for Council,” Cr Wendt said.
“This is one of the biggest contributors to total rates this year.
“We don’t want to pass this tax on to households in a cost-of-living crisis, so we are proudly standing behind the LGAQ’s campaign to #BinTheTax.”
Council has also written a submission to the State Government’s waste review addressing the unique challenges faced by the Somerset region.
To find out more about LGAQ’s campaign, head to lgaq.asn.au/BinTheTax
Kilcoy Multicultural Carnival
The 2025 Kilcoy Multicultural Carnival is coming this October, so clear your calendars and get ready to experience the rich tapestry of cultures which call Somerset home.
Somerset Regional Council invites residents to a family-friendly celebration of diversity on Friday, 24 October from 4pm at Yowie Park, Kilcoy.
The free event will bring Somerset’s many different cultural communities together with performances, workshops and tasty food from across the globe.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the event was a great opportunity for new citizens to interact and engage with the community and build lasting connections.
“Somerset welcomes hundreds of new citizens of diverse backgrounds every year,” Cr Wendt said.
“Through this event we will celebrate all our people, our cultures and values to make Somerset a more harmonious region.”
This event is proudly sponsored by Kilcoy Global Foods and supported by the Queensland Government.
Patrick Holland shares stories of Somerset
Somerset Libraries will hold a special author talk with Patrick Holland at the Kilcoy Visitor Information Centre on Wednesday, 16 July.
The Queensland author will read excerpts and discuss his novels, The Mary Smokes Boys (2010) and Oblivion (2024), which both feature the Somerset region.
The Mary Smokes Boys, set in the Brisbane Valley, was longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award and is being made into a feature film.
Patrick Holland’s author talk and morning tea will be held from 10.30am to 12pm on Wednesday, 16 July at the Kilcoy Visitor Information Centre.
For more information, contact Somerset Libraries on 5424 4000 or mail@somerset.qld.gov.au
First community Council meeting coming to Kilcoy
Somerset Regional Council will trial Council Community Meetings in 2025-2026 with the first to occur on 23 July at the Kilcoy Visitor Information Centre.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the Council Community Meetings would foster community engagement, improve transparency and provide residents with greater access to Councillors and senior staff.
“We are going to trial three Council Community Meetings in 2025-2026, with the first to be held on Wednesday, 23 July 2025 in Kilcoy,” Cr Wendt said.
“All other council meetings will continue to be held in the Simeon Lord Room in Esk Library, which the community is also welcome to attend.
“We ask the community to contact council and provide 24 hours’ notice if they plan to attend council meetings.”
The 23 July ordinary meeting will start at 11am.
For more information, visit somerset.qld.gov.au
Spend your July In Good Company
Somerset Regional Council has a range of activities for seniors happening this July as part of the In Good Company program.
The last information session for senior drivers with the RACQ Years Ahead program will be held from 10am-12pm on Thursday, 10 July at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk.
Later in July, Council will host a two-course sit down lunch for Christmas in July.
Join the In Good Company program for the free event on Thursday, 24 July starting 12pm at Lowood Bowls Club, 157 Main Street, Lowood.
Bookings essential, contact Council.
The In Good Company program is funded by the Queensland Government.
For more information on In Good Company events, contact Council on 5424 4000 or mail@somerset.qld.gov.au
Say hello to your Somerset Councillors
Somerset Councillors are hosting a Come and Chat sessions at the end of July.
This is an opportunity for residents to speak directly with elected representatives and learn about Council’s projects and plans.
The Come and Chat session will be held from 10am to 12pm on Wednesday, 30 July at Hav’A’Chat Café in Toogoolawah.
Due to other commitments, not all Councillors may be in attendance.