Weekly News Briefs - 18 April 2026
Heritage Festival 2026 – THIS weekend
The Lockyer Valley Heritage Festival returns this weekend! Step back in time as you wander through the historical villages, explore vintage cars and farm machinery, experience the thrill of a haybale tractor ride or horse drawn carriage ride, watch blacksmith and sheep shearing displays, plus so much more!
Saturday 18 April in Laidley
Das Neumann Haus – 8am to 1pm, free entry
Laidley Pioneer Village and Museum – 7.45am to 2pm, entry by donation
Sunday 19 April in Gatton
Gatton and District Historical Village – 9am to 3.30pm, entry by donation
Queensland Transport Museum – 10am to 2pm, free entry
Visit www.luvyalockyer.com.au for more information on the location of activities.
Burn workshop
In collaboration with Healthy Land & Water, Council will hold a ‘How to Plan a Burn’ workshop in Thornton for landholders on Saturday, 18 April from 9am to 2pm.
This session will cover:
- Deciding when, where and how to burn
- Safety protocols and your responsibility
- Fuel hazard assessment techniques
- Local regulations and permits.
Bookings are essential. For more information and to secure a spot, visit https://events.humanitix.com/how-to-plan-a-burn-la...
Funded by the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation through the Koala Threat Management Initiatives Program being undertaken by Healthy Land & Water.
Stella Quinn Author Talk
Come along for an evening with Australian author Stella Quinn and hear about her new title Rain on a Hot Tin Roof.
One derelict farm. Two broken hearts. And a town that can't help meddling ... A funny and heartwarming new romance from bestselling author Stella Quinn.
WHERE: Gatton Library
WHEN: Thursday 23 April, 6pm
Bookings essential at https://tinyurl.com/yy33urad
Have your say on Lockyer Valley Aquatic Facilities
Council is reviewing the region’s aquatic facilities and is inviting the community to provide feedback to help shape future planning and decision making.
Your feedback about how you use our pools, your level of satisfaction, and what you’d like to see in the future will help guide evidence-based decisions.
For more information and to have your say, visit https://lockyervalley.engagementhub.com.au/, click on the project and take the quick survey.
Submissions close this Sunday, 19 April 2026.
Messy Fun in the Park
Fairways Park, Kensington Grove, Thursday 30 April, 10am
McGovern Park, Helidon, Thursday 14 May, 10am
Let’s have some fun and get messy in the park! We will set up messy play stations for you and your little ones to enjoy - there will be fun for all ages.
Messy play offers a chance to experiment with slime, water, and more, helping kids build imagination, social skills, and problem-solving abilities all while having loads of fun!
New Impounded Animals Register
If your pet has wandered a little too far from home, make Council your first port of call!
You can now check our NEW Impounded Animals Register on Council’s website to see if they’re safe and waiting to be reunited with you: www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/impounded-animals
RADF applications open
If you’re interested in delivering arts and cultural projects in the Lockyer Valley – get your application in now for funding to support your projects through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), a partnership between the Queensland Government and Lockyer Valley Regional Council.
This fund is designed to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland. Round 3 for 2025-26 is currently open for applications and closes 10am, Friday 24 April 2026.
Apply online at lockyervalley.smartygrants.com.au/25Round2
