Weekly News Briefs - 24 September 2026

William Street reconstruction

Works on William Street, Gatton, from the Cochrane Street intersection to the Gatton Cemetery are set to begin this month.

To minimise disruption, works will be completed in two stages (weather permitting):

• Stage 1: 22 September to 30 September (Term 3 school holidays)
• Stage 2: 14 December to 27 January (Christmas school holidays)

These upgrades will rehabilitate the deteriorated road surface, improve resilience and deliver a smoother, safer ride.

Traffic management will be in place, with minor traffic delays expected.

Construction will take place during business hours. If work extends into Term 4, adjustments will be made to avoid school pick-up and drop-off times.

For more information, visit www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/road-works

Child Safe Organisations Workshop

Local clubs, committees, volunteers and community groups are invited to a free Child Safe Organisations Workshop delivered by the Queensland Family and Child Commission.

Learn about the new Child Safe Standards, Reportable Conduct Scheme and your organisation's responsibilities under Queensland legislation.

• Tuesday, 29 September
• 6pm to 8pm
• Gatton Shire Hall

Spots are limited. Register by Friday, 25 September at www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/events

RADF funding available

Individuals and groups interested in delivering arts and cultural projects in the Lockyer Valley are encouraged to apply for funding support through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF).

A partnership between the Queensland Government and Lockyer Valley Regional Council, the fund is designed to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

Round 1 for 2026-27 is currently open for applications and closes on Monday 12 October at 9am. Apply online at: www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/radf

Bushfire season underway

It’s officially bushfire season and Council is encouraging residents to prepare NOW.

• Clear your gutters and remove overhanging branches
• Keep lawns short. Slash, mow or graze paddocks, especially close to houses or sheds
• Know your local bushfire risks
• Create a bushfire survival plan and include pets/livestock
• Familiarise yourself with official Fire Danger Warning levels

For bushfire preparedness information and to create your survival plan, visit: www.fire.qld.gov.au/prepare/bushfires

Stay updated during emergencies via Council's Disaster Dashboard: www.disaster.lvrc.qld.gov.au

Download the Recycle Mate app

Thanks to a new three-year partnership between the Queensland Government and Recycle Mate, Lockyer Valley residents now have access to even more features on the FREE Recycle Mate app.

• Take a photo of an item and find out which bin it belongs in
• Search thousands of items for correct disposal information
• Find local recycling points, op shops, Containers for Change sites and more
• Access bin collection day information
• Receive handy bin night reminders
• Stay informed about transfer station changes and waste service updates

Prefer using a website? You can access the Recycle Mate search tool, community recycling map and AI chatbot (available in more than 92 languages) at www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/recycle-mate

Download Recycle Mate today on Apple and Android devices and recycle with confidence.

Local Police utilise Council’s CCTV network

Throughout the month of July, Council’s CCTV cameras were utilised by the Laidley Police 580 times and the Gatton Police 263 times.

The total views are up 10 per cent from 2025.

Kokoda Youth Foundation partnership

Council has entered a two-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Kokoda Youth Foundation (KYF) to provide meaningful community service opportunities for KYF participants through environmental maintenance, conservation and land stewardship activities utilising Council-managed properties.

Council is currently undertaking revegetation, and habitat enhancement works at several Council-owned properties in the Lockyer Waters and Laidley areas which are considered suitable for the KYF’s youth program.

These works are funded through Resilient Rivers SEQ and Healthy Land and Water.

Furniture and tree maintenance

Council crews have completed a range of maintenance works across the region, including the installation of new signage at Bichel Oval, Laidley and repairs on the timber foot bridge at Dawson Phipps Park, Gatton.

Playground repairs were also completed at Dawson Phipps Park, Gatton and Fairways Park, Kensington Grove, and tree maintenance requests and defects are now complete at 10 locations across the region.

Be prepared for heatwaves

In the lead up to summer, Council is encouraging the community to prepare for heatwaves and know where to access heatwave information.

Visit the Bureau of Metereology’s Heatwave Knowledge Centre at www.bom.gov.au, which provides practical information about heatwaves, their impacts, and how people can prepare and stay safe.

And download the BOM Weather App and set up warning notifications. The Bureau’s heatwave warnings tell you the likely timing and intensity of the forecast heatwave so you can prepare for the heat and protect yourself, your loved ones and your pets.

Share the Dignity Drive

Council’s annual Share the Dignity Drive closes tomorrow, 25 September! Join Council staff in donating essential period and hygiene products for local women doing it tough.

Donations can be placed in the collection bins at Council’s Gatton and Laidley Customer Service Centres. Items accepted include sanitary products, roll-on deodorant, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste (all sealed in original packaging).

All donations will be provided to the Gatton Salvation Army to support local women and families in need. For more information, visit sharethedignity.org.au