Somerset Regional Council Meeting Highlights – 8 October 2025
Published on 09 October 2025
Somerset Regional Council has accepted a tender for the design and construction of Stage 1 of the Kilcoy Indoor Sports Centre Redevelopment, which includes expanded gymnasium and gymnastics areas.
Kilcoy Indoor Sports Centre Redevelopment takes next steps
Somerset Regional Council has accepted a tender from Premis Solutions Pty Ltd for the design and construction of Stage 1 of the Kilcoy Indoor Sports Centre Redevelopment.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the Kilcoy Indoor Sports Centre (KISC) Redevelopment included a significant expansion to the facility.
“We will be constructing larger gymnasium and gymnastics areas, new café facilities, allied health consulting rooms, community multi-purpose spaces, new amenities and more car parks,” Cr Wendt said.
“Through a revised scope of works, we will also be refurbishing the existing facility and improving ventilation and temperature control.
“This is an important project for the Kilcoy community, however we recognise the works will impact operations and access at the KISC throughout 2026.
“As such, as works progress we will engage closely with the facility managers of the KISC and Kilcoy Aquatic Centre, the Kilcoy Gymnastics Club, Kilcoy State High School, and Kilcoy Yowies Junior Rugby League Football Club.”
The total budget of the project is $5.716 million.
The Kilcoy Indoor Sports Centre Redevelopment is proudly funded by the Queensland Government’s South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program (SEQCSP) in association with Somerset Regional Council.
Works will be completed by 30 June 2027, per the SEQCSP funding arrangement.
Council supports Esk racing with fence funds
Somerset Regional Council has approved $21,747 to support the Esk Racecourse Fence Replacement Project.
Council received a request from the Esk Jockey Club to assist in funding the installation of new fencing at the Esk Showgrounds and Racecourse.
Esk Showground Advisory Committee Chair, Deputy Mayor Helen Brieschke, said the Fence Replacement Project was necessary to bring the facility to Racing Queensland’s standards.
“The Esk Jockey Club is an important stakeholder for the Esk Showgrounds and Racecourse, bringing hundreds of people to the region for their Race Days,” Cr Brieschke said.
“As a Council, we recognise the importance of supporting the club’s growth and its impact on our tourism industry in Somerset.”
The Esk Jockey Club has obtained around $102,000 from Racing Queensland and committed $26,000 of their own funds to support the project, with an overall estimated cost of $150,000.
The club aims to install the new fencing in time for their next event on Saturday, 8 November 2025.
Council will allocate funds towards the project in an upcoming budget review.
Councillor Stephanie Laycock welcomed at first Ordinary Meeting
Somerset’s newest Councillor, Stephanie Laycock, was warmly welcomed to her first Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 8 October 2025 at the Esk Library.
Cr Laycock took the opportunity to thank everyone involved in the Somerset Regional Council by-election.
“Thank you to Somerset’s residents for your vote of confidence, and to the other candidates for the opportunity to get to know them during the campaign,” Cr Laycock said.
“I am very excited to step into this role and I look forward to working with my fellow Councillors.”
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said Cr Laycock’s fresh perspective would bring new insight to Council discussions and decision-making processes.
“It was great to have a full team of Councillors on board at our Ordinary Meeting,” Cr Wendt said.
“The by-election is now in the rear-view mirror and we’re moving forward confidently as a unified Council.
“We can’t wait to see what Cr Laycock brings to the table as we continue to deliver on our promises for Somerset.”
Experience Somerset supports Beef Grand Prix in June 2026
Somerset Regional Council’s tourism arm, Experience Somerset, will provide $1,100 sponsorship for the 2026 Caboolture Mazda Beef Grand Prix, held at the Toogoolawah Showgrounds on 26 June 2026.
Economic Development and Tourism Committee Chair, Mayor Jason Wendt, said the event aligned with the Somerset Tourism Strategy 2021-2025.
“Council is committed to building local tourism partnerships, including agritourism, and supporting growth in Somerset’s visitor economy,” Cr Wendt said.
“We also want to foster opportunities for new events throughout Somerset to facilitate a wider, coordinated calendar of events.
“This and other key agritourism events like our four agricultural shows will create a compelling vision and identity for agriculture in Somerset.
“The Beef Grand Prix also aligns with the SEQ Food Trails initiative, with the goal of attracting business investment from the food sector by building the profile of the region as a tourism destination.”
Council adopts 2026 meetings schedule
Somerset Regional Council has approved its meeting dates schedule for 2026.
Council meetings will ordinarily be held at 9am on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month in the Simeon Lord Room of the Esk Library Building on Heap Street, Esk.
Meeting dates may vary and Council will advise the community of any changes.
For more information, visit Council’s website: somerset.qld.gov.au/Council-Meetings
Next Somerset Regional Council Meeting
Somerset Regional Council will hold its next Ordinary Council Meeting at 9am on Wednesday, 29 October 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, 8 October 2025.