Somerset Regional Council Meeting Highlights - 18 June 2025
Published on 18 June 2025
Somerset Councillor Kylee Isidro announced her resignation from the role at the Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 18 June.
Councillor Kylee Isidro announces resignation
Somerset Councillor Kylee Isidro announced her resignation as an elected member of Somerset Regional Council at the Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 18 June.
Cr Isidro advised she would step down from the role on Friday, 27 June 2025.
Cr Isidro said her resignation was not an easy decision.
“Serving this community has been an absolute privilege—an opportunity that has allowed me to meet, collaborate with, grow and celebrate the successes of our wonderful community,” Cr Isidro said.
“I am proud of what I have achieved, and what we have achieved together as a team for the community.
“Although I have given this role my all, I believe the time is right to step aside and make way for someone who can bring fresh energy and focus to this important work.”
Prior to becoming an elected member, Cr Isidro held a role in customer service over 2010-2011, and as a Customer Service Team Leader from 2015 to 2019.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt thanked Cr Isidro for her service to the region.
“I started with Cr Isidro five years ago in the 2020 local government election and it has been an incredible journey,” Cr Wendt said.
“I want to thank Cr Isidro for her courageous enthusiasm, her resilience and willingness to work as part of a team with our fellow Councillors.
“The life of a Councillor is one of the most rewarding jobs anyone can take on, but can also be one of the most difficult challenges you will ever face.
“On behalf of the Somerset community, I thank Cr Isidro for embracing and enduring the privilege of being a Councillor and for being such an integral team member in our Council.
“I hope the community member who steps forward to fill Cr Isidro’s position does so with the same enthusiastic and collaborative mindset she has shown.”
Somerset Regional Council will now write to the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) and State Government advising of the upcoming vacancy in anticipation of a by-election.
Operational Plan to guide Council through 2025-2026
Somerset Regional Council adopted its Operational Plan 2025-2026 at the Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 18 June.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the Operational Plan outlined the activities and services Council would deliver in the year to implement the objectives of the Corporate Plan 2021-2026.
“The Operational Plan drives our Council and is funded through our annual budget, setting the year’s direction for each of Council’s departments,” Cr Wendt said.
“Together, the 2025-2026 Budget and Operational Plan commit Council to allocating resources to ensure service delivery is completed within the year.”
Somerset’s say on Queensland’s waste management
Somerset Regional Council will make a submission to the Queensland Government’s DRAFT Queensland Waste Management Strategy 2025-2030.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the submission addressed the unique waste management challenges faced in Somerset.
“Somerset is the largest land area in South East Queensland but we have a small, highly dispersed population making waste diversion systems more costly and inefficient, and transport logistics more cost prohibitive,” Cr Wendt said.
“Our challenges are similar to other regional and rural councils, and we suggest the State Government consider realigning Somerset from the Metro Zone to the Regional Zone to better represent the region’s characteristics and limitations.”
Cr Wendt said there was a lack of funding certainty from the Waste Levy back to local government.
“This limits Council’s ability to strategically plan for and implement waste management infrastructure improvements at our smaller regional facilities,” Cr Wendt said.
“Without any certainty in funding from the State Government, Somerset Region Council is unlikely to reach the plan’s proposed targets for 90% diversion, 75% recycling and 25% waste reduction by 2050.
“The targets need to be ambitious, but our Council is concerned they are unrealistic without a detailed and considered funding commitment from the State Government.”
Further, Cr Wendt said the Waste Levy would impact Council rates.
“Future Waste Levy increases could result in a significant increase in Council’s waste charges by 2030,” Cr Wendt said.
“To cover costs, we estimate our waste management charge will need to increase by 46% over the next six years.”
Lowood to host Kindy Fete and Cycling Classic in August 2025
Somerset Regional Council has approved two Lowood events in August 2025.
The Lowood and District Community Kindergarten will host its annual fete on Saturday, 23 August.
The fete will be held in Clock Park, Lowood from 8am to 12.30pm and includes market stalls, a jumping castle, pony rides, wildlife show, displays and food.
Council has approved the closure of a section of Walters Street carpark for the safety of families and children attending the event.
On the following day, 24 August, the Lifecycle Cycling Club will host its annual Lifecycle Cycling Classic, based at the Lowood Recreational Complex.
The event attracts 300 riders from around South East Queensland and 100 supporters and volunteers.
The Classic encourages social and community involvement in Lowood and Coominya, and includes post event festivities at the Lowood Recreational Complex with a BBQ, drinks and fresh produce and market stalls.
The course starts and finishes in Noland Street in Lowood, travelling to Coominya, Mt Tarampa and back to Lowood using Council’s quieter, local roads.
Glamorgan Vale State School 150th
Somerset Regional Council has approved an out-of-round $3,000 Community Assistance Grant to support the Glamorgan Vale State School 150th Celebration.
The grant will support the Glamorgan Vale State School P and C Association with a traffic management plan for a temporary road closure for the event, to be held on Saturday, 30 August 2025.
The event will be an all-day celebration with a parade, market stalls, rides, historical displays, night time entertainment and food trucks.
Excellence Bursaries
Somerset Regional Council has awarded Excellence Bursaries to five talented athletes over April-May 2025.
The applicants received $250 each for representing Somerset in their field at a regional level.
Lachlan Walk was selected to play with the Brisbane West Regional Baseball Team, which attended the Queensland State Titles at Redcliffe over 11-13 April.
William Sharp was selected for the Westzone Under 12s team which attended the State Carnival at Redbank Sporting Complex over 3-5 May.
Grace Jardine will play with the Darling Downs 16-19 years AFL Team at the State Championships in Cairns on 22-25 June.
Lenny Rowe will represent Somerset with the Darling Downs 10-12 years Cross Country team for the State Championships at St Joseph’s Nudgee College in Boondall on 18-20 July.
Lastly, Benjamin Jardine will represent the region with the Darling Downs School Sport Orienteering 10-19 year team attending the State Championships at Kingaroy State High School and Wondai State Forest on 26-27 July
Council requests Ekka Show Holiday
Somerset Regional Council will request a Show Holiday for the 2026 Royal Queensland Show (Brisbane Exhibition).
Council will write to the Office of Industrial Relations Regulations and Compliance to request a holiday be observed on Monday, 10 August 2026.
Next Somerset Regional Council Meeting
Somerset Regional Council will hold its next ordinary council meeting at 9am on Wednesday, 9 July 2025 in the Simeon Lord Room at the 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 and special budget meeting on Wednesday, 28 May 2025.