Somerset tourism operators supported by Council    

Somerset Regional Council will support 10 tourism operators in its region to participate in the second round of the Best of Brisbane Region Experience Support Program.

Somerset Deputy Mayor Helen Brieschke said the program was free to qualifying operators to participate with Council covering over $20,000 of program fees.

“This is council investing in tourism businesses to improve their offerings and to help tourism businesses deliver exceptional visitor experiences and grow their businesses through practical resources and mentoring support,” Cr Brieschke said. 

“Mentors will work with the successful tourism businesses from Somerset over 11 weeks (from June to August 2023).

“During this time operators will complete 13 modules designed to help them become identified as a Best of Queensland Experience and the marketing and promotional benefits that spin off from that.”

The tourism businesses that will take part in the program include Bebe’s Country Weddings, Brisbane Valley Roasters, Brisbane Valley Farm Direct, Jimna Base Camp, Montrose on Moore, Picnic Society, Rail Trail Refuge, Somerset Dam General Store, The Lookout Milkbar and The Stanley Hotel Kilcoy.

The program will be delivered with funding from Tourism and Events Queensland and support from Southern Queensland Country Tourism.

Domestic dumping fee freeze for Somerset residents

Somerset residents will benefit from two changes that form part of Somerset Regional Council’s schedule of cost recovery fees and commercial fees for 2023/2024.

Somerset Councillor Cheryl Gaedtke said council will freeze fees for domestic dumping for the next year and extend dog registration from one to three years.

“We acknowledge the cost-of-living pressures that our community, and the nation, is facing, and have made changes, where possible, to help ease the financial stress,” Cr Gaedtke said.

“We have focused on the two fees that affect the most people which is domestic waste gate fees at our refuse and recycling centres and dog registration fees.

“We have frozen domestic waste fees at our transfer stations at $13 per cubic metre and $7 or $10 for smaller loads for the upcoming financial year.

“Commercial waste fees will increase but we are finding with the State Government waste levy that businesses across south-east Queensland are shopping around for the cheapest place to dispose of commercial waste.

“Council has also reconfirmed the new three-year dog registration fee trial with the vast majority of owners set to pay $100 to register an entire dog and just $50 to register a desexed dog until 30 June 2026.”

The full schedule of cost recovery fees and commercial fees including waste and dog registration fees is available at www.somerset.qld.gov.au.

Poultry expansion in Somerset knocked back

Somerset Regional Council has knocked back an application from a poultry farm at Coominya seeking to expand.

Somerset Councillor Jason Wendt said the applicant was seeking approval to change its approval from a breeder farm to a free-range broiler farm with the inclusion of two additional poultry sheds.

“Unfortunately, an expansion to the operations at 57 Zischkes Road at Coominya would adversely impact the surrounding areas due to odour,” Cr Wendt said.

“As a councillor, it hurts to refuse any development, but we must balance the growth of our rural economy with protecting local amenity and a lifestyle which attracts people to our region.”

Community Groups supported by Council

Somerset Regional Council will provide a grant to two community groups in Toogoolawah.

The Toogoolawah State School P&C Association will benefit from a $5000 grant which will help assist them with costs associated with an upcoming fundraiser.

The Toogoolawah History Museum will receive a $2750 grant to assist with upgrading their computer software.

The funds have been made available through council’s successful Community Assistance Grants Program.

Valid petitions to local government authorities

Somerset residents intending to submit petitions to local government authorities need to be aware of the standardised approach to making a valid petition.

Somerset Regional Council has adopted standing orders previously provided by the Department of Local Government and Planning which are the standard and applied to all local governments.

Somerset Regional Council Mayor Graeme Lehmann said it was vital all residents know of the requirements.

“Properly made petitions must be in legible writing or typewritten, contain a minimum of 10 signatures, include the name and contact details of the principal petitioner and include the postcode of each petitioner,” Cr Lehmann said.

“It’s imperative that Somerset residents are heard but at the same time we need to be responsible and know that we are responding to our residents and their views not those that live in other parts of the world and don’t know our region.”

Residents wishing to submit a petition to council are encouraged to contact council to ensure they are aware of the proper requirements before making a petition.

The guidelines are also available at www.somerset.qld.gov.au

Somerset Council’s next meeting

Somerset Regional Council will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, 7 June at the Kilcoy Visitor Information Centre at 9am.

Community members are welcome to attend meetings and are encouraged to provide at least 24 hours’ notice of attendance via email to mail@somerset.qld.gov.au or phoning council on 5424 4000.

Council will adopt its 2023/2024 budget on 21 June following its council meeting.

NB: Somerset Regional Council held its meeting at the Kilcoy Visitor Information Centre on Wednesday, 24 May 2023 at 9am.