Somerset Regional Council Meeting Highlights - 12 November 2025
Published on 13 November 2025
Somerset Regional Council’s new Director Operations Joel Andrew and Mayor Jason Wendt.
Council welcomes new Director Operations
Somerset Regional Council welcomed its new Director Operations, Joel Andrew, to his first Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 12 November 2025.
Mr Andrew has a strong history in senior project management roles in both local government and the private sector, including six years in New Zealand five years in the Northern Territory.
With previous project management roles in the construction industry, Mr Andrew has extensive experience in managing complex technical infrastructure projects.
“There are so many incredible projects happening here in Somerset and it’s a great privilege to work with our elected members and the excellent team in the Operation Department to deliver services to this community,” Mr Andrew said.
“Somerset is a beautiful part of the world and working in the region is sure to be a rewarding experience.”
Council CEO Andrew Johnson said the Director Operations role was key to the organisation’s success.
“The Operations Department is the largest team in Council, including our outdoor works crews, engineers and designers,” Mr Johnson said.
“The Director Operations is responsible for overseeing this team and leading Council projects like the Lester Kropp Bridge Replacement in Villeneuve and the Fernvale South Productivity Link on Muckerts and McCulkins Lanes.
“We’re confident Mr Andrew will continue our Council’s legacy of service to residents and successful project delivery, and we’re excited for the fresh perspective he will bring to Somerset.”
Council joins RSLs in grant applications to honour veterans
Somerset Regional Council is working with the Lowood and Kilcoy RSLs for grant applications to deliver projects honouring people who have served in the military.
In Lowood, Council is making an application to the Queensland Government’s Honouring our Veterans Grant Program for $75,000 for the relocation of an existing monument and anchoring of a cenotaph in the new Memorial Plaza in Clock Park, a key feature of the Lowood Botanic Core.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the new cenotaph and Memorial Plaza would create an inviting new ceremonial space in Lowood.
“The Lowood RSL Sub Branch was engaged by Council when selecting the monument types and we’re grateful for their support for this project,” Cr Wendt said.
“The existing monument will be relocated to the RSL’s grounds and be reinstalled with a flagpole.”
The total project will cost $87,500, with a $12,500 contribution from Council.
Somerset Regional Council will also write a letter of support for a new project being undertaken by Kilcoy RSL Sub Branch.
“The RSL’s ‘Avenue of Honour’ will serve as a memorial to all who served in the military from the Boer War until present-day with 14 displays to be placed around Fred Greensill Lake at Yowie Park, Kilcoy,” Cr Wendt said.
“This project expands on the Memorial Walk around the lake, which was opened by the Kilcoy RSL in 2016 and also made possible by grants and RSL donations.”
Somerset Regional Council is seeking funding from the Queensland Government’s Honouring our Veterans Grant Program to deliver a new cenotaph for the new Memorial Plaza, a key feature of the Lowood Botanic Core. Pictured: 3D visualisation of the Memorial Plaza, observed from Main Street, Lowood.
Somerset Regional Council commits to reconciliation
Somerset Regional Council adopted its first Reconciliation Action Plan (November 2025 – May 2027) at its Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 12 November.
By adopting the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), Council joins more than 3,000 corporate, government and not-for-profit organisations which have made formal commitments to reconciliation through the RAP program.
Mayor Jason Wendt said the Somerset region was home to Traditional Custodians, the Jinibara, Jagera, Yuggera, Ugarapul, Kabi Kabi and Dungibara Peoples.
“As a Council, we’re dedicated to serving all of our people and preserving the cultures and traditions of people who have come before,” Cr Wendt said.
“Having a RAP means Council can better align its corporate and operational plans to ensure greater connections with Traditional Custodians.
“This connection can allow more opportunity for First Nations voices to inform decision making for Somerset’s future.”
The RAP features artwork by Jinibara artist Jennifer Kent, with imagery celebrating Somerset’s vital role as a source of life-giving water and its home to a rich biodiversity.
Cr Wendt thanked the Traditional Custodians for sharing their land, stories and voices with Council.
“This plan is another step on our path to reconciliation, and our Council is committed to working with Traditional Custodians and our community to continue this journey.”
The Reconciliation Action Plan will now go to Reconciliation Australia for final review and endorsement and the final RAP will be made available on Council’s website.
Recycling baskets to be trialled in Somerset parks
Somerset Regional Council will proceed with a six-month pilot program for recycling baskets in four Council parks.
The pilot program involves installing Containers for Change baskets next to all general waste bins in Council parks in Esk, Fernvale, Kilcoy and Lowood.
Somerset Councillor Sally Jess said the trial aimed to increase public awareness of recycling and waste management.
“This is a great recycling initiative and a positive step forward to reducing the amount of recyclable waste in landfill,” Cr Jess said.
“I thank Council for initiating this and I look forward to seeing how the community engages with the program in our major parks.
“If the trial proves successful Council will investigate additional locations for the program.”
Somerset Regional Council will proceed with a six-month pilot program for recycling baskets next to general waste bins in Council parks.
Mayor and CEO visit recycled water projects in southern states
Somerset Regional Council Mayor Jason Wendt and CEO Andrew Johnson spent the first week of November touring recycled water project sites across Australia.
Cr Wendt provided the community with an update at the Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 12 November.
“We joined Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan in visiting sites in Adelaide, Melbourne and Newcastle earlier this month looking at recycled water projects,” Cr Wendt said.
“Our Councils are working with primary producers and industrial water users through the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Collaborative to advocate for water for our regions.
“We looked at some projects up and going in the south in agricultural land and also some commercial facilities which use recycled water.”
Cr Wendt said water security for the Lockyer Valley and Somerset region was key to Queensland food security.
“The new State Government has its Prosper 2050 plan, and they want to boost Queensland’s primary industries’ output to $30 billion by 2030,” Cr Wendt said.
“Somerset and the Lockyer Valley constitute almost a third of the food we eat in Queensland, which is phenomenal, so we will play a key role in Prosper 2050.
“However, with South East Queensland’s rapid growth it’s going to be a challenge to balance water for agriculture with water for people to drink.”
The Mayor and CEO’s trip finished in Canberra with a meeting with an advisor to discuss other major projects happening in Somerset including the Lowood Futures Strategy, Kilcoy Revitalisation Streetscape and Brisbane Valley Highway upgrades, and the discontinuation of the Bureau of Meteorology Enviromon program’s negative impacts on local government.
Christmas events approved for Esk and Lowood
Somerset Regional Council has approved two Christmas events in Esk and Lowood.
The Lions Club of Esk will host its annual Light Up Esk event in Esk Memorial Park on Saturday, 29 November from 4pm to 8pm.
The event includes the lighting of the Christmas Tree, a community sausage sizzle, and a visit from Santa.
In Lowood, Trax Christian Church has been given approval to partially close Walters Street car park from 4pm to 9pm on Saturday, 29 November and Friday, 5 December to hold Christmas Carols.
The Christmas Carols will be held on the deck of Trax Christian Church on Railway Street, Lowood and includes a sausage sizzle, with the audience seated on the grass and closed section of the carpark.
Australia Day Bike Ride gets Council sponsorship
Somerset Regional Council will support the ninth annual Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Australia Day Bike Ride with a $3,000 sponsorship and value-in-kind support.
The popular Australia Day event, to be held on Monday, 26 January 2026, includes a family bike ride along the rail trail from Fernvale to Esk and attracts around 250 registrations.
Excellence Bursaries awarded to Somerset athletes
Somerset Regional Council has awarded Excellence Bursaries to 11 Somerset sport stars in September 2025, including eight athletes playing at a state level.
Five athletes received $500 each for representing Queensland at the Christian Football Federation Australia National Titles at Cranbourne, Victoria from 29 September to 2 October, with Adam Canavan and Tyler Whitten in the U19 Men’s team, Lauren Sheppard, Alicija Sajkar and Talija Sajkar in the Senior Women’s team, and Harry Kelleher in the Senior Men’s team.
Anita Brown and Annette Dunstan each received $500 for their selection as part of the Queensland Skip Ladies Four team attending the Australian Indoor Bowls Championships at Warrnambool, Victoria on 25-30 August.
Young athletic stars Neville Blunt and Isabella Turnbull received $250 for playing representing the region at the QRSS State Track and Field Championships at Townsville on 13-15 October.
Lastly, Ari Jenkinson received $250 for being selected as part of the Sunshine Coast School Sport 10-12 boys cricket team which attended the QRSS State Championships at Bundaberg on 15-19 September.
Next Somerset Regional Council Meeting
Somerset Regional Council will hold its next Ordinary Council Meeting at 9am on Wednesday, 26 November in the Simeon Lord Room at Esk Library.
Council asks the community to contact council and provide 24 hours’ notice if they plan to attend council meetings.
NB: Somerset Regional Council held its Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 12 November 2025.