Somerset Regional Council Highlights - 5 September 2025
Published on 05 September 2025
Rituals (still) 2024, a video piece by Hari O’Dwyer coming to The Condensery’s bomb shelter exhibition space on 20 September.
Esk Energex Depot open for public notification
Somerset Regional Council has welcomed progress in Energex’s Development Application for a new depot at 5305 Brisbane Valley Highway, Esk (DA26340).
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the proposed low impact industry and warehouse development application had begun public notification.
“Our Council is committed to working collaboratively with Energex to see a new depot established in the centre of the region,” Cr Wendt said.
“Keeping Energex in the region is vital, not only to ensure rapid response capabilities during natural disasters but also to provide stability for the families of local workers.
“We look forward to seeing this application progress in alignment with our planning principles.”
The last day of public notification will be Friday, 18 September 2025.
Storytelling takes on a new lens at The Condensery
The Condensery – Somerset Regional Art Gallery, will feature two new exhibitions by Zanny Begg and Shari O’Dwyer from Saturday, 20 September.
‘These Stories Will Be Different’ by Australian artist and filmmaker Zanny Begg draws on ancient literary traditions while challenging the politics of storytelling.
Somerset Regional Council’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee member, Deputy Mayor Helen Brieschke, said The Condensery’s next exhibition showcases a powerful collection of works by renowned artist Zanny Begg.
“This exhibition will feature three of Zanny Begg’s most significant video installations – The City of Ladies (with Elise McLeod, 2017), The Beehive (2018), and Stories of Kannagi (2019),” Cr Brieschke said.
“These videos use creative storytelling and computer-generated elements to offer fresh perspectives on history, identity and community”.
Over in the bomb shelter exhibition space, Shari O’Dwyer’s ‘holemtaet hemia (hold this/ hold this tightly)’ uses humour through documented performance to engage visitors in her South Sea Islander heritage and identity.
Cr Brieschke said Shari O’Dwyer’s work focused on her mother’s childhood memories of her father’s work on Queensland sugar cane fields.
“O’Dwyer’s exhibition highlights the important contributions her family made to the Queensland sugar cane industry through a unique generational lens,” Cr Brieschke said.
“The exhibition space is symbolically fitting, given The Condensery’s bomb shelter was used to archive documents pertaining to Nestle’s business operations, including the procurement of sugar, during the 1940s.”
The exhibitions will be on display from 20 September through to 30 November.
The Condensery is located at 29 Factory Road, Toogoolawah.
Young artist to feature in Somerset children’s book
Somerset Regional Council invites all primary school aged children to draw a picture of their favourite older person to inspire character design for a new children’s book.
Social Plan Advisory Committee Chair, Councillor Michael Bishop, said the initiative was part of Council’s plan to become a dementia-friendly region.
“We want our young children to think about older people in a positive way and to make older people feel appreciated by children,” Cr Bishop said.
“Artwork submitted through this project will be displayed during Seniors Month in October, and the shortlisted drawing will be used to inspire the design for a character in a book produced by Council.”
Cr Bishop encouraged young artists across the region to submit their drawing.
“We have application forms available at our Kilcoy and Lowood Customer Service Centres and at the Esk Administration Building,” Cr Bishop said.
Artwork must be submitted before 5pm Friday, 26 September.
Somerset Regional Council’s dementia-friendly initiative is supported by the Queensland Government Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety following a successful application for $42,000 in funding through the Age-friendly Community Development Grant program.
For more information, contact Council on 5424 4000 or mail@somerset.qld.gov.au
Have a Care-full Cuppa at the Esk CWA Hall
Somerset Regional Council is supporting Dementia Australia’s Dementia Action Week with a free morning tea for carers at the Esk CWA Hall on Tuesday, 16 September.
Carers of people with dementia are invited to the Care-full Cuppa with Council from 10am to 12pm.
Social Plan Advisory Committee Chair, Councillor Michael Bishop, said the event complemented Council’s initiative to make Somerset a dementia-friendly region.
“To support people living with dementia, we also need to support the carers behind them,” Cr Bishop said.
“This is an opportunity for carers to come together and share a conversation over morning tea.
“Carers’ loved ones and other informal carers are also invited to attend.
“We will have a game of Self Care Bingo with Sheila Southerland from the Wellways Carer Gateway, which supports carers with their own wellbeing to ensure they are in the best place to care for and support their loved ones.”
The Care-full Cuppa morning tea is supported by the Queensland Government with funding through the Neighbourhood Centre Initiative.
The Esk CWA Hall is located at 5 Heap Street, Esk.
Bookings essential, contact Council on 5424 4000 or mail@somerset.qld.gov.au
Take a dip with the Aqua Aerobics bus service
Somerset Regional Council will continue the popular Esk Aqua Aerobics bus transfer program in 2025-2026.
The free service allows Esk residents to participate in a weekly aqua aerobics class at Council’s pool facilities.
Until the Toogoolawah Swimming Pool Upgrade is complete, the service will operate between Esk and the Lowood Swimming Pool.
The weekly service will begin on Tuesday, 16 September and continue until mid-April 2026.
The Lowood Swimming Pool service will depart from the Esk bus stop near Esk Newsagency at 7.30am, arriving in Lowood at approximately 8am.
The return bus will depart Lowood Swimming Pool at 9am for a 9.30am arrival in Esk.
For more information contact the Lowood Swimming Pool on 0452 610 311, or the Esk Aqua Aerobics Community Coordinator on 0418 758 713.
The Aqua Aerobics Bus Service is supported through Somerset Regional Council’s In Good Company program with funding from the Queensland Government.