Somerset Regional Council declares 2026 a ‘year of change’
Published on 05 February 2026
Somerset Councillors Michael Bishop, Sally Jess, Deputy Mayor Helen Brieschke, Mayor Jason Wendt, Tiara Hurley, Brett Freese and Steph Laycock.
SOMERSET Regional Council has declared 2026 will be a year of change, growth and forward planning.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said Council needed to be ready for the challenges and opportunities which would shape the region over the next five years.
“My team of Councillors and I are working for the community and with the community,” Cr Wendt said.
“We will continue our strong history of advocacy to best position Somerset for future population growth, and to capitalise on opportunities presented by economic growth and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Cr Wendt said Council would continue advocating to the State and Federal Governments to fix the Brisbane Valley Highway.
“Upgrading the Brisbane Valley Highway to support our growing community is a major priority,” Cr Wendt said.
“Our Council will continue advocating for the Queensland Government and Australian Government to fund a long-term Brisbane Valley Highway Safety and Productivity Strategic Plan, supported by an agreed funding plan, to ensure the highway meets the needs of the community now and into the future.”
Somerset Regional Council will continue advocating to the State and Federal Governments to fix the Brisbane Valley Highway.
Cr Wendt said the Brisbane 2032 Games presented an opportunity for investment into Somerset’s tourism and aquatic assets.
“We want to see Somerset get its share of investment as we creep closer to 2032,” Cr Wendt said.
“Lake Wivenhoe has enormous potential as an event or training location for the Games, and there will be substantial tourism opportunity with millions expected to visit Brisbane and surrounding regions like Somerset.”
Cr Wendt said Council would continue advocating for the Queensland Government to review its waste levy rebate policy as it applies to Somerset.
“This levy is a tax on household waste and a growing cost burden which will place increasing pressure on Council and its ratepayers, year-on-year,” Cr Wendt said.
“Inaction on this waste levy will result in higher costs being passed directly to households in a rural community already facing significant cost of living pressures.”
Somerset Regional Council will continue advocating for the Queensland Government to review its waste levy rebate policy, to save cost burdens being passed onto Council and its ratepayers.
Somerset Deputy Mayor Helen Brieschke said 2026 would be a year of change for Council’s roads, towns and facilities.
“We’ve got plenty of exciting projects happening in 2026, like construction of the Fernvale South Productivity Link and the Lester Kropp Bridge Replacement in Villeneuve,” Cr Brieschke said.
“There’s lots of game-changing infrastructure being progressed, including the Lowood Futures Strategy and the Kilcoy Streetscape Revitalisation, in which our major towns will be reinvigorated with mature tree plantings, new carparks and new community spaces.
“We’ll continue work to deliver the new Toogoolawah Library and Cultural Centre, the Kilcoy Indoor Sports Centre Redevelopment, the Mount Glen Rock project and the Fernvale private school site.
Somerset Regional Council CEO Andrew Johnson said the next six months would be crucial to Council’s future.
“We will be developing our Corporate Plan 2026-2031, which articulates Council’s vision for Somerset and sets the direction for decision-making,” Mr Johnson said.
“This is an important document for Council, as every decision we make over the next five years will tie back to our new core vision and mission statement.
“Council is excited to share the plan with the community, with the opportunity for feedback in the coming months.
“Following adoption of the new Corporate Plan, Council will adopt its associated Operational Plan and the 2026-2027 Budget by June.”
For the latest news on Somerset Regional Council, visit somerset.qld.gov.au/News
As South East Queensland prepares for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Somerset Regional Council will advocate for the region’s share of investment into sporting and tourism assets like Lake Wivenhoe.