Somerset Business Hub

• Learn about our Procurement Policy - F008-Procurement-Policy.pdf(PDF, 256KB)

• Licences and Permits

• Find out more about licensing requirements or starting and operating a food business in the Somerset Region.  

• Council regulates caravan parks and camping grounds to ensure that they are maintained in a clean and hygienic condition and that they provide appropriate facilities.

• The planning section manages the assessment of development applications, undertakes development compliance inspections and field work, and strategically plans for the future of our region. Here you can view the Planning Scheme, search current applications and see planning fees and charges. 

   

Can't find what you're looking for? Contact the Somerset Regional Council Business Development Officer on 5424 4000 or mail@somerset.qld.gov.au

Online Business Enquiry Form

• New to business? Visit Starting a business | Business Queensland for help getting started.

• UniSC provide many free training courses: Business Planning, Continuity Planning, Workforce Planning, Tax Clinic.

• The Australian Taxation Office has useful resources to help small businesses at tax time: Tax time toolkits, small business essentials tax courses. 

• Make sure you are up to date with work health and safety issues

• Register your interest in the Mentoring for Growth (M4G) Program

• Grow and change your business | Business Queensland

• Head to Business HQ to access free digital workshops.

• UniSC offer free Tax Clinics and workshops as well as Workforce Planning for Business

• Business Chamber Queensland provide support to business owners through the Workforce Evolve program.

• Download the Somerset Business Support Guide(PDF, 230KB) - A quick reference to services, contacts and resources. 

Need help finding Grants?  

The Somerset Regional Council provides the ‘Somerset Regional Council Grant Finder’ to all local businesses, community groups, not-for-profits and individuals. This site provides a comprehensive list of grant and funding opportunities available to you.

Our free service means you will never miss a grant opportunity again.

Register to receive emailed alerts for new grants, save your favourites and access tips to help you apply for grants.

The Somerset Regional Council is proud to partner with GrantGuru to provide you with this service. See our Top Tips and Grant Writers if you need additional help.

Visit the Somerset Regional Council Grant Finder

• Small Business Financial Counselling Service provides free, impartial and confidential planning and support services are available to businesses

• Business Queensland: Small Business Grants

• The Somerset Disaster Dashboard is home to live flood cameras, road closures and notifications in times of disasters. 

• Sign up to the Business Resilience Opt-In Notification to receive communications regarding important preparedness and resilience information.

Somerset Business Disaster Management (Plan on a Page)

This document outlines what to do BEFORE, DURING and AFTER an emergency or natural disaster. 

• Somerset Business Continuity Guide(PDF, 14MB)- A guide to doing business during construction and road upgrades.

• Enrol for free cyber security training with Cyber Warden.

• Mental Health Support – Get free one-on-one advice with Business Queensland Wellness Coaches or Beyond Blue’s coaching for Small Business Owners.

• Sustainability – Learn how to reduce your water, energy and waste bills with the Queensland Business Chamber's FREE Ecobiz Program 

Agriculture

Council provides educational information on Restricted Invasive Animals and Plants, and offers a number of pest programs to assist landholders in meeting their responsibilities.

For further information on:

• Restricted Invasive Animals
• Restricted Invasive Plants
• Biosecurity Plan – Invasive Plants and Animals

Visit Pest Management – Somerset Regional Council

Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority 

QRIDA is dedicated to supporting all Queenslanders as well as assisting other states and territories across Australia. We have a network of committed Regional Area Managers based throughout Queensland and based in Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cloncurry, Emerald (with an office in Longreach), Innisfail, Kingaroy, Mackay, Rockhampton, Roma, Toowoomba and Townsville.

If you have a question, need assistance completing an application or would like more information on the programs and services: Freecall 1800 623 946.

Rural Financial Counselling Service

RFCSSQ provide free, impartial and confidential planning and support services to primary producers and small businesses who are:

• experiencing, or at risk of financial hardship
• located in the Somerset Region.

RFCSSQ local rural and small business specialists can come to your farm or business and help you:

• understand your financial position and viability of your farm or business
• identify your financial options (including government assistance available)
• make informed decisions
• apply for the Farm Household Allowance
• communicate effectively with financiers, creditors and landlords
• move forward with a plan for a better future.

Phone:

(07) 4622 5500 (farm business enquiries)

1300 732 777 (small business enquiries)

Tourism  

Visit the Experience Somerset Website

Adventure awaits. Find yourself in Somerset...

The Somerset Tourism Strategy, 2021-2025: Providing the Foundations for a Vibrant Visitor Economy is Somerset Regional Council’s five-year plan to support the vibrancy, diversity, resilience and sustainability of the region’s visitor economy.

The strategy is designed to provide Somerset Regional Council with the direction it needs to help it play its role in growing the local visitor economy and to attract new businesses and opportunities from both within and outside the region. Informed by research, consultation and analysis, it presents a visionary yet practical plan of action to help promote and support the region’s visitor economy now and into the future.

Somerset Regional Council is committed to playing its part in supporting economic development. Tourism promotion and development is a key area of focus under the Prosperous Somerset theme in Council’s Corporate Plan, which seeks to nurture and support a region celebrated for its prosperous rural lifestyle, its agricultural strengths, its natural assets and its potential as a premier regional visitor destination.

The Somerset Tourism Strategy is designed to realise this important objective, for the benefit of the community of the Somerset Region.

Tourism Strategy – Somerset Regional Council

The Economic Development Plan and Tourism Strategy are implemented and monitored in consultation with Somerset Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee (EDTAC).

EDTAC Terms of Reference(PDF, 449KB)

The Somerset Business Chamber connects, supports, and advocates for local businesses by creating opportunities to network, collaborate, and grow within the region. It also champions the broader Somerset business community by engaging with government, promoting regional initiatives, and fostering a strong, sustainable local economy.