Somerset Regional Council Meeting Highlights - 27 August 2025
Published on 28 August 2025
A sneak peek preview of the Lowood Botanic Core Landscape Concept Design Report 2025. Somerset Regional Council will seek community consultation for the Lowood Botanic Core in mid-September.
Lowood Botanic Core community consultation moving forward in September
Somerset Regional Council will seek community consultation for the Lowood Botanic Core Landscape Concept Design Report 2025 in mid-September.
The report includes visualisations and detailed plans for the Green Botanic Core, a major component in the Lowood Futures Strategy Master Plan.
The Lowood Futures Strategy Advisory Committee reviewed the report, prepared by AECOM, at its meeting on Thursday, 7 August.
Committee chair Mayor Jason Wendt said Council looked forward to sharing the report with the community.
“There will be ample opportunity to review the plans and provide feedback,” Cr Wendt said.
“We want to get this project right, and we will take all constructive feedback on board as we advance the Lowood Futures Strategy.”
Next Community Council Meeting coming to Fernvale
Somerset Regional Council is trialling Council Community Meetings in 2025-2026 with the second to occur on 24 September at the Fernvale Visitor Information Centre.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the Council Community Meetings would foster community engagement, improve transparency and provide residents with greater access to Councillors and senior staff.
“Our first meeting was held in Kilcoy in July, and it was great to see residents and community leaders coming in and engaging with the decision-making process,” Cr Wendt said.
“All other council meetings will continue to be held in the Simeon Lord Room in Esk Library, which the community is also welcome to attend.
“We ask the community to contact council and provide 24 hours’ notice if they plan to attend council meetings.”
The 24 September ordinary meeting will start at 11am.
Council submits Small Business Action Plan
Somerset Regional Council will put forward its 2025-2026 Small Business Action Plan to the Queensland Small Business Commissioner, outlining Council’s commitments to economic development.
In May 2025, Council recommitted its membership with the Small Business Friendly Program.
Economic Development and Tourism Committee Chair, Mayor Jason Wendt, said Council was committed to working with small businesses, industry, community and government to support growth in Somerset.
“Through our action plan, we will conduct annual Somerset business forums around agriculture, tourism and business development, and we will continue offering workshops to help businesses improve their capacity and capability,” Cr Wendt said.
“We’ll continue our buy local campaign, Support Our Somerset, which shares small business owners’ stories to demonstrate the power of spending in the local economy.
“We look forward to working with our region’s small businesses and creating opportunities for growth in Somerset.”
Businesses wishing to become involved in Council initiatives can contact the Business Development Officer on 5424 4000 or mail@somerset.qld.gov.au
Toogoolawah District Men’s Shed lease renewed by a decade
Somerset Regional Council has renewed a lease agreement with The Toogoolawah District Men's Shed for a further 10 years, starting 1 November 2025.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said Men’s Sheds were vital community organisations.
“The sheds provide a safe and busy environment for men to connect and contribute to the community through their initiatives,” Cr Wendt said.
“The Toogoolawah Men’s Shed has a fantastic site on 96 Bellambi Street and they are very active in Toogoolawah, supporting our schools and other community groups.
“The Men’s Shed has had a lease in place for this site since 2015, and we’re glad to see this extend a further 10 years.”
Excellence Bursaries awarded to sport stars and teams
Somerset Regional Council has awarded Excellence Bursaries to two young sport stars and three sport teams over July 2025.
The Toogoolawah State High School Campdraft team was awarded $2,000 to support their attendance at the High School Campdraft Percentile Cup at Pittsworth Showgrounds over 4-6 October 2025.
Two Lowood Stags Junior Rugby League Football Clubs each received a $2,000 bursary.
The Under 9s team will attend the 2025 Paul Bowman Challenge at Proserpine over 20-21 September 2025, while the Under 10s team will attend the Gordon Tallis Cup at Townsville over 26-28 September.
Athlete Joshua Lehmann was awarded $500 for representing Somerset with the Queensland Athletics team attending the Australian Cross Country Championships at Victoria Park, Ballarat on 23 August 2025.
Lastly, young rugby union player Max Peasey was awarded $250 for attending the QRSS 11-12 Rugby Union State Championship at Nudgee College Flats in Boondall with the Metropolitan West Sport 11-12 years Rugby Union team over 24-27 July.
Next Somerset Regional Council Meeting
Somerset Regional Council will hold its next Ordinary Council Meeting at 9am on Wednesday, 10 September 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, 27 August 2025.