Somerset Regional Council Meeting Highlights – 22 April 2026
Published on 24 April 2026
Somerset Regional Council CEO Andrew Johnson and Mayor Jason Wendt with the Draft Corporate Plan 2026-2031, which has been amended following community consultation in March.
Community feedback guides Council’s Corporate Plan
Somerset Regional Council has welcomed feedback to its Corporate Plan 2026-2031 following community consultation in March.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the Draft Corporate Plan was broadly supported through the Have Your Say community survey.
“We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to review this draft document and provide constructive feedback,” Cr Wendt said.
“The Corporate Plan outlines Council’s vision, mission statement, core values and the strategic planning framework which will guide our decision-making process and strategic direction over the next five years.
“This is a crucial time for Council, with significant growth happening across the region and the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games right around the corner.”
Somerset Regional Council’s Corporate Plan 2026-2031 is set to be adopted at its Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.
Somerset at the ready with updated Local Disaster Management Plan
Updated hazard risk assessments, new technologies and lessons learned from recent weather events have been incorporated into Somerset Regional Council’s updated Local Disaster Management Plan (LDMP).
Somerset Local Disaster Management Group Chair, Mayor Jason Wendt, said the updated LDMP reflected Council’s preparedness for weather events and crises.
“The updated LDMP will align with the Australian Warning System and integration of new technology and communication channels like the Bureau of Meteorology App and features of Council’s Disaster Dashboard,” Cr Wendt said.
“It also includes lessons learned from multi-agency exercises and recent weather events like Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, as well as updated hazard risk assessments for flooding, storms, bushfires, heatwaves, hazardous materials and pandemics.”
Cr Wendt praised the Somerset Local Disaster Management Group’s proactive efforts and responsiveness during disasters.
“Our team are second to none, even up against the larger Councils,” Cr Wendt said.
“There’s nothing like having local people running your local disasters because they’re on the ground, they know the region and they know exactly what they need to do.”
Renewed grants policy supports community events and projects
Somerset Regional Council has reviewed its Community Assistance Grants Policy to better support community-led projects and events across the region.
Somerset Councillor Tiara Hurley said the revised policy ensured public funds were distributed in an open, accountable and equitable manner.
“We’ve taken feedback from past applicants to refine our Community Assistance Grants program so we can better support the community groups which make Somerset thrive,” Cr Hurley said.
“To reflect inflation, we have increased the maximum grant amounts for small scale, large scale, regional events and agricultural shows.
“It’s important we continue to support our agricultural shows so they can continue their legacy, as well as many other high-quality events which are attracting big numbers to Somerset.”
The next Community Assistance Grants Funding Round will open Friday, 31 July 2026 and closes Wednesday, 26 August 2026.
For more information visit somerset.qld.gov.au/Grants
New operator awarded for Somerset Refuse and Recycling Centres
Somerset Regional Council has awarded the tender for the operation of its Coominya, Harlin and Kilcoy Refuse and Recycling Centres to The Austrans Group.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the tender represented good value for money and aligned with Council’s expectations and requirements.
“The Austrans Group’s proposal incorporated a revenue-sharing model which aligned with our Council’s waste minimisation and recycling objectives,” Cr Wendt said.
Next Somerset Regional Council Meeting
Somerset Regional Council will hold its next Ordinary Council Meeting at 9am on Wednesday, 20 May 2026 in the Simeon Lord Room at Esk Library.
The community is asked to contact Council and provide 24 hours’ notice if they plan to attend council meetings.
Meeting agendas, minutes and livestreams are available on Council’s website, visit somerset.qld.gov.au/Council-Meetings
NB: Somerset Regional Council held its Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 22 April 2026.