SOMERSET Regional Council welcomes the combined $5 million funding announcement from the Australian Government through the Thriving Suburbs Program.

Infrastructure Minister Catherine King announced the successful funding projects on Saturday, 14 December.

Through the program, Council was awarded $3.7 million for the Toogoolawah Gateway Centre and $1.4 million for the Mount Glen Rock Hiking Trails project.

Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt thanked the Minister and Member for Blair Shayne Neumann for supporting the two projects.

The Toogoolawah Gateway Centre will include a newer, larger library, rooms for visiting health professionals and facilities for Brisbane Valley Rail Trail users.

Cr Wendt said Council was acutely aware of Toogoolawah’s need for more health providers.

“Toogoolawah is a disadvantaged community with almost no public transport and few medical services,” Cr Wendt said.

“It’s projected more than 1,800 people per year who would not otherwise see a health professional and more than 2,000 people per year who would otherwise travel for health care will use the Toogoolawah Gateway Centre’s visiting health professionals.

“Through this project we will convert the current 84sq m Toogoolawah Library into a wellness hub with additional rooms for visiting health professionals.

“This project will help fill a major services gap for Toogoolawah and I look forward to its delivery.”

The centre, to be built on Council land at the southern end of Cressbrook Street, will be 311sq m and will have a 26-space carpark.

“Building a bigger and better Library is also a huge win for Toogoolawah,” Cr Wendt said.

“We thank the community for their support in shaping this project.”

The Mount Glen Rock Hiking Trails will be a low-impact walking-only trail network in Esk, within 300m of the BVRT.

This network will also include a summit hike and ecological and cultural heritage interpretive signage, creating a healthy and educational experience for locals and visitors.

Cr Wendt said the project would create a destination experience for Esk.

“The BVRT attracts around 35,000 visitors each year, and this project will capitalise on the trail by enticing more visitors and encouraging extended stays in Esk,” Cr Wendt said.

“This is brilliant news because it will create more opportunities for our tourism businesses and employment in Somerset.

“We have a beautiful, untapped asset right on Esk’s doorstep capable of bringing in tourism dollars and improving the health and fitness of our residents.

“It is exciting to see this project being progressed thanks to the Australian Government’s support.”

The trails will be developed on freehold Council land under a Cultural Heritage Management Plan agreed to with the Jagera people.

“For years, the community has asked Council to advocate for this and I’m proud, together with the whole Somerset team, we will finally be able to experience the natural beauty of Mount Glen Rock,” Cr Wendt said.

“Council thanks the community for their support in shaping this project.”

The Toogoolawah Gateway Centre will cost about $5.2 million with Somerset Regional Council contributing around $1.5 million.

The Mount Glen Rock Hiking Trails project will cost about $2 million with Somerset Regional Council contributing around $600,000.

Both projects will be completed by June 2027.