Somerset Regional Council Meeting Highlights – 28 January 2026
Published on 30 January 2026
Council adopts amended budget for 2025-2026
Somerset Regional Council has adopted an amended budget for 2025-2026 in response to various factors which have influenced Council’s forecast revenue and expenditure.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the amended budget continues Council’s historical sound financial management.
“We have a duty to manage Council’s finances effectively and efficiently, and our Finance Department did an incredible job with the 2025-2026 Budget,” Cr Wendt said.
“Council budgets are built around assumptions made at the start of each financial year, and just like household budgets, we need to be able to adapt as the year progresses and things change.
“So far this financial year our Council has been successful in securing an increase of $1.5 million in capital grants and subsidies.
“The amended budget reflects a small operating deficit, primarily due to the timing of the Financial Assistance Grant payment from the Federal Government, with 50% of the 2025-2026 grant paid in the previous financial year.
“This timing issue has impacted our reported operating result, but it has not impacted Council’s cash position.”
Cr Wendt said the amended budget placed Council in a sound financial position.
“We look forward to continuing this legacy of sound financial management while delivering key services and projects for our community into the 2026-2027 financial year.”
Somerset Regional Council has accepted tenders for the supply and maintenance of mature trees, with plans to plant about 500 mature trees in Lowood and Kilcoy over the next three years.
Mature trees one step closer to planting
Somerset Regional Council has accepted tenders for the supply and maintenance of mature trees, allowing for cooler and greener spaces throughout Kilcoy and Lowood town centres.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the tree plantings were a key item in both the Kilcoy Streetscape Revitalisation and Lowood Futures Strategy master plans.
“We’re planning for about 500 mature trees in each town over the next three years alongside landscaped areas to provide green, cool and shaded places which enhance our rural identity,” Cr Wendt said.
“The greening will also strengthen links between the town centres and surrounding streets and parks.”
Through its tender process, Council will enter into agreements with mature tree suppliers Logan’s Nursery in Donnybrook, Queensland and Trees Impact in Wyong, New South Wales.
Council will also enter into an agreement with West Moreton Land Care Group Inc for the after care of mature trees in Lowood.
This project received assistance provided through the Commonwealth's Disaster Ready Fund (DRF).
Agritourism Mentoring Program opens new doors for Somerset farmers
Somerset Regional Council’s 2025 Agritourism Mentoring Program opened a world of new possibilities for eight Somerset farmers.
The program wrapped up in September 2025, following weekly online mentoring session, site visits, and pre-lodgement meetings with Council’s planning team to discuss agritourism business ideas.
Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee Chair, Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt, said the Agritourism Mentoring Program may be offered again in the future.
“Council was excited to deliver this program to grow the region’s tourism offerings,” Cr Wendt said.
“Agritourism is a growing travel experience trend which involves on-farm experiences, connecting guests to the people, places and products on the farm.
“This kind of training and mentorship is not readily available, so our Council took the initiative to deliver this program with consultants from the Tilma Group.
“Any farmers interested in participating in future programs are encouraged to contact Council.
“We will soon be adopting the new Tourism Strategy 2026-2032 and planning scheme amendments, which will pave the way for even more agritourism businesses in Somerset.”
Councillors to advocate for Somerset at local government conferences
Somerset Councillors will attend key local government conferences this year to represent the region and advocate for solutions to the unique challenges faced.
On 25 and 26 March Somerset Regional Council Mayor Jason Wendt and CEO Andrew Johnson will join Councillors Tiara Hurley and Michael Bishop to attend the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Civic Leaders Summit in Brisbane.
On 26-28 May the Mayor, Councillors Brett Freese and Sally Jess will attend the LGAQ Bi Annual Bush Councils Conference in Longreach.
Councillors Michael Bishop and Steph Laycock will attend the Small Business Friendly Conference 2026 in Rockhampton on 27 and 28 May.
On 23-25 June the CEO, Mayor, Deputy Mayor Helen Brieschke and Cr Bishop will attend the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly in Canberra.
Then, on 19-21 October the CEO will join all Councillors at the 130th Annual Conference and Annual Meeting of the LGAQ in Cairns.
To facilitate attendance at conferences, Somerset Regional Council has amended its 2026 meeting calendar between March and June.
To view updated ordinary Council meeting dates, times and locations, visit Council’s website: somerset.qld.gov.au/Council-Meetings
Council Meeting coming to Linville
Somerset Regional Council has announced its next Council Community Meeting.
Council will hold its third trial Council Community Meeting at 11am on Tuesday, 24 March at the Linville Hall on 40 George Street, Linville.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt encouraged community members in Linville, Moore and surrounding districts to make the most of the meeting.
“We had great attendance and positive feedback from the Kilcoy and Fernvale communities at our previous meetings in 2025,” Cr Wendt said.
This is a great opportunity to meet Councillors and Directors, to ask questions and learn about Council’s decision-making process.
“Somerset is a vast and decentralised region, and our Council has a duty to represent and deliver services for everyone, no matter where they live.”
To view ordinary Council meeting dates, times and locations, visit Council’s website: somerset.qld.gov.au/Council-Meetings
Young cricketer receives Excellence Bursary
Somerset Regional Council has awarded an Excellence Bursary of $250 to cricketer Damon Wood.
The young cricketer was selected as part of the Darling Downs and South West Queensland U13 cricket team which attend the Les Kinnane Memorial Shield at Ivor Marsden Oval in Ipswich between 5 and 9 January 2026.
Council encourages community members to apply for Excellence Bursaries, with $250 available for regional level selection, $500 for state level selection, $750 for national level selection, $1,000 for selection for an international event, and up to $2,000 for a team or group of four or more individuals.
For more information visit somerset.qld.gov.au/Grants
Next Somerset Regional Council Meeting
Somerset Regional Council will hold its next Ordinary Council Meeting at 9am on Wednesday, 11 February 2026 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. 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, 28 January 2026.