Managing your property can be a challenge, the following information and advice might make this challenge a little less daunting.

Living in Somerset Handbook

In partnership with Healthy Land & Water and SEQ Fire and Biodiversity Consortium, Council has produced a comprehensive property management handbook for local landholders. The handbook covers a variety of topics including managing soil erosion, grazing, water supply, fire, pests, remnant vegetation and much more. You can download The Living in Somerset handbook (PDF), or hard copies can be obtained from Council offices at Lowood, Kilcoy or Esk. It does make a great addition to any tabletop!

Natural Resource Management Plan

Download the Esk Shire Natural Resource Management Plan (PDF 8MB)

Lighting Fires

The use of fire is a legitimate activity to manage pastures, control woody weeds and reduce fuel loads for wildfires. Fire is also important in maintaining some natural ecosystems. Prior to using fire you should develop a fire management plan with your local fire warden. It is also illegal to light a fire without a 'Permit to Light Fire' issued by a fire warden or to cause a smoke nuisance.

For more information refer to the Rural Fire Service website 

Duty of Care

All landholders have a statutory obligation of duty of care for the land. This means that those responsible for managing natural resources must take all reasonable and practical steps to prevent harm to the environment and to areas of cultural heritage (including Indigenous culturally-significant areas).

Types of environmental harm include:

• land degradation (e.g. soil erosion and decline in soil structure)
• air pollution
• water pollution (including pollution by salt, agricultural chemicals and nutrients)
• invasion of weeds and pests
• noise
• destruction of ecosystems and habitat
• loss of species
• harm to areas of Indigenous cultural heritage significance.

Healthy Land & Water

Healthy Land & Water is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation helping to build a sustainable community that cares for and values the natural resources and biodiversity of South East Queensland, and that recognises the impact of personal and collective actions on the environment. Council is proud to partner with Healthy Land & Water in many projects and activities across our region. Healthy Land & Water has a wealth of information available to landholders across the region.

Clean up Australia Day

Council is pleased to support local community groups that participate in Clean Up Australia Day activities. Groups are encouraged to register their event and then talk to Council about what else you might need (e.g. extra materials, rubbish collection after the event).