Somerset rates notices issued

Somerset Regional Council rate notices for the period ending 30 June 2025 were issued on Tuesday, 18 February.

The due date for payment is Tuesday, 1 April 2025.

The February rate notice will include two general waste vouchers and an information sheet and consent form to receive rate notices via email.

For more information contact council at mail@somerset.qld.gov.au or 5424 4000.

Brisbane Valley and D’Aguilar Highway roadworks

Somerset Regional Council will recommence pavement stabilisation works on the Brisbane Valley Highway and D’Aguilar Highway between February and April 2025.

Council was contracted by the Department of Transport and Main Roads to undertake the work, which started in late 2024, but was delayed due to wet weather and the Christmas break.

Pavement stabilisation on the Brisbane Valley Highway will start in late February and will take about three weeks to complete, weather permitting.

This work covers a 6km stretch between Chaille Road, Esk and McGraths Road, Moombra.

D’Aguilar Highway work will start late March and take about four weeks to complete, weather permitting.

This work covers a 20km stretch between western access to Nurinda Road, Colinton and Funkners Lane, Woolmar.

Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said pavement stabilisation involved repair and patching large areas of the road.

“This is vital work and reduces the costs involved with routine maintenance,” Cr Wendt said.

“This will help driving conditions on these sections of the two most important roads in Somerset.”

Cr Wendt said work would be undertaken from 6am-6pm, Monday to Friday.

“Motorists may experience delays when single lane closures are in place,” Cr Wendt said.

“Traffic controllers, reduced speed limits and message signs will be in place to advise traffic conditions and ensure safety on our highways.

“We appreciate your patience as we carry out this important work on behalf of DTMR.”

Don’t leave Somerset in the 70s

Somerset Regional Council has joined the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) in calling on Federal candidates to guarantee grassroots liveability and fair funding for councils.

Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the Financial Assistance Grants regime, which was introduced in the 1970s, was broken and in urgent need of repair.

“We’re in a cost-of-living crisis, yet the federal funding model designed to support councils and their communities is going backwards,” Cr Wendt said.

“Our council has joined the LGAQ in calling for candidates in the upcoming federal election not to leave Queensland communities in the 70s with a broken funding model.”

Along with fairer funding, councils are calling for improved insurance and disaster management to protect communities, measures to empower First Nations communities, support transitioning communities, delete the digital divide and protect the environment.

For more information on the campaign, visit dontleaveusinthe70s.com.au

Celebrate International Women’s Day in Somerset

Join Somerset Regional Council in celebrating the region’s women at a high tea event at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk.

To mark International Women’s Day 2025, council is hosting the free event from 10am to 12pm on Wednesday, 5 March with a guest speaker and presentations.

The theme is Connecting Conversations, with a focus on the importance of connections for women.

Guest speaker Karen Wilson from Queensland Seniors Social Isolation Peak Services Program brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for supporting older Australians and creating age-friendly communities.

The event is funded by the Queensland Government.

Bookings essential, contact council on 5424 4000 or mail@somerset.qld.gov.au

Dementia Australia information sessions

Somerset Regional Council is holding free Dementia Awareness and Carer Support Information Sessions every Friday in March.

The information sessions are part of council’s senior connections program, In Good Company.

Dementia Australia Community Engagement Officer Kara Crompton will present the series of information sessions and provide an overview of dementia, information for carers and the services available for support.

Sessions will include a morning tea and Q&A, held 10am-12pm at the following locations:

• Esk – Friday, 7 March in the Lyceum Room, Somerset Civic Centre, 35 Esk Hampton Road
• Fernvale – Friday, 14 March at the Fernvale Visitor Information Centre, 1483 Brisbane Valley Highway
• Toogoolawah – Friday, 21 March at Alexandra hall, 111 Cressbrook Street
• Kilcoy – Friday, 28 March at the Kilcoy Visitor Information Centre, 41 Hope Street

The information sessions are funded by the Queensland Government.

To book, contact council on 5424 4000 or mail@somerset.qld.gov.au

Somerset-Lockyer tourism team up at the Moreton Bay Expo

Somerset Regional Council and Lockyer Valley Regional Council’s tourism brands joined forces to showcase holiday experiences at the Moreton Bay Expo.

The Experience Somerset and Luvya Lockyer tourism teams collaborated for the ‘Feel the Freedom’ campaign with a stall at the outdoor adventure exhibition from 14 to 16 February at the Redcliffe Showgrounds.

The Experience Somerset team engaged with more than 1,000 visitors to the show.

More than 1,000 entries were also received for the Feel the Freedom Escape prize pack, valued at $2,370 which was won by a Brisbane Resident.

Download the Feel the Freedom guide from experiencesomerset.com.au/feel-the-freedom

Vixens of Fall bringing country rock to the Somerset Civic Centre

The Somerset Civic Centre will rock all night with Vixens of Fall on Saturday, 8 March.

Cairns sisters and rising country stars Nina, Wren and Lulu will stop in at Esk for one night only.

A product of Queensland’s northern sugar cane fields, hot summers and cyclones, Vixens of Fall will ooze the country rock ethos running deep in their veins.

The band was awarded Most Popular Independent Country Music Band 2021 by the Independent Country Music Awards, thanks to their playful but heartfelt songs.

For more information and to purchase a ticket, visit the Somerset Civic Centre at 35 Esk Hampton Road, Esk or visit somersetciviccentre.com.au

Wild Dog Control Program on soon in Somerset

To control wild dog numbers, Somerset Regional Council will hold a wild dog baiting day on Monday, 10 March.

Council will assist with the preparation of 1080 poison baits at four sites:

• Middle Creek, Bryden, 7.30am-9am
• Fernvale Recreation Ground, 10.30am-12pm
• Kilcoy Showground, 7.30am-9am
• Moore Pony Club, Station Street, 10.30am-12pm

For enquiries or bookings phone Council on 5424 4000.