Somerset Regional Council Meeting Highlights - 13 August 2025
Published on 14 August 2025
Somerset Regional Council will permanently increase the Lowood Swimming Pool season from 30 to 34 weeks in line with community demand.
Vale Lawrence Noel Witham
Somerset Regional Council paid tribute to former Esk Shire Councillor Lawrence Noel Witham at the Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 13 August.
Mr Witham was a Councillor from April 2000 to March 2008, serving alongside former Mayors Jean Bray and Graeme Lehmann.
Mayor Jason Wendt said Mr Witham represented his community with intelligence, professionalism and dignity.
“He was a quiet and respectful Councillor, always firm but fair and a consummate gentleman,” Cr Wendt said.
“He supported and served his community in various roles throughout his life, first as a Police Officer in western Queensland as part of the ‘Pack Horse Police’, and later reaching the rank of Assistant Commissioner.
“Mr Witham enjoyed a long and distinguished career, serving on Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen’s security detail and directing the Oxley Police Academy for three years.”
Outside of Council and the Police, Mr Witham served his community on the Esk Co-Operative Board from 1997 to 2024 and was a member of the Freemasons for more than 60 years.
“Mr Witham’s family are in our thoughts,” Cr Wendt said.
“He was a kind and principled man and will be missed.”
Mr Witham passed away on 29 July 2025 at the age of 87.
Lowood Swimming Pool to stay open 34 weeks every year
Somerset Regional Council will permanently increase the Lowood Swimming Pool season by four weeks after reviewing multiple years of attendance data.
The increase from 30 to 34 weeks would have the next pool season running from 6 September 2025 to 3 May 2026.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the Lowood Swimming Pool season extension had been trialled for three consecutive years to confirm community demand for an increased season.
“The four-week season extension resulted in record total season attendance reaching 39,972 last year and the highest attendance figures recorded for September and April,” Cr Wendt said.
“We have had great feedback from the community with many users wanting to see the pool stay open for longer.
“We’re happy to say the data supports the community’s wants, so we are making the 34 weeks season a permanent fixture.”
Cr Wendt said Council also resolved to extend opening hours at Toogoolawah Swimming Pool in January 2026.
“To thank the community for their patience as we upgrade the Toogoolawah Swimming Pool, we’re seeking to provide a one-off extension to the Monday to Friday opening hours from 6am to 6pm at the Toogoolawah Swimming Pool,” Cr Wendt said.
Advisory committee gets first taste of Lowood’s green future
The Lowood Futures Advisory Committee held a special meeting on Thursday, 10 July where they were presented with the final concept design of the Lowood Green Botanic Core.
Lowood Futures Advisory Committee Chair, Mayor Jason Wendt, said the designs were received positively.
“This is going to be a vibrant and inclusive park where community creativity and nature comes together,” Cr Wendt said.
“We’re excited to see greater shade coverage for Clock Park in the Lowood Green Botanic Core.
“Council has submitted an application for Green Urban Infrastructure Initiative (GUII) funding from the Queensland Government, and we look forward to the outcome.
“We also look forward to sharing these designs with the wider community as this project progresses.”
Council supports Pony Club State Championships
Somerset Regional Council will grant $1,500 to the East Moreton Pony Club as an out-of-round Community Assistance Grant to assist with costs for hosting the Queensland Pony Club State Championships on 26 to 29 September 2025..
The East Moreton Pony Club is the parent club of Kilcoy Pony Club, which is based at the Kilcoy Recreation Grounds.
Kilcoy Recreation Grounds Advisory Committee Chair, Deputy Mayor Helen Brieschke, said the championships would be a major event for the club and town.
“The four-day event will attract 120 to 150 riders each day and includes a Formal Gymkhana, Sporting Gymkhana, Campdraft and Stockman’s Challenge,” Cr Brieschke said.
“Somerset businesses have been used where possible to organise the event and we expect the Kilcoy township will gain additional business with competitor’s families visiting from all over Queensland and New South Wales.
“Somerset Regional Council is proud to support this event through our Community Assistance Grant program.”
Final 2024-2025 Operational Plan review ‘exceptional’ results for Somerset
Somerset Regional Council received its Operational Plan 2024-2025 Fourth Quarter review with green marks dominating the board.
Guided by Council’s Corporate Plan, the Operational Plan is measured by the number of items completed or on track for completion for the year, using a traffic light system to indicate progress of tasks.
Council CEO Andrew Johnson said Council made significant progress in the April to June quarter.
“It was a privilege to present the fourth quarter and final report for our 2024-2025 Operational Plan,” Mr Johnson said.
Mr Johnson said the 2024-2025 Operational Plan was exceptional.
“The projects we've advanced and completed this year reflect a united, forward-thinking organisation with a steadfast commitment to its people and its place,” Mr Johnson said.
“We’re confident our financial position will be stronger than originally forecast, thanks to our team’s dedication to deliver services on time and on budget.
“The results speak to the hard work of Councillors, the dedication of our staff, and the value of strong partnerships across all levels of government and the community.”
Next Somerset Regional Council Meeting
Somerset Regional Council will hold its next Ordinary Council Meeting at 9am on Wednesday, 27 August 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.