Weekly News Briefs - 23 July 2026
2026-27 Budget adopted
Lockyer Valley Regional Council handed down its 2026-27 Budget and Operational Plan on Monday 20 July.
To find out what the Budget entails, visit www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/budget
Get Ready to Get Ready, Lockyer!
Looking for a fun day out with the family? Join us at our free Get Ready Lockyer 2026 event on Sunday 2 August at Ferrari Park, Laidley, to learn simple, practical ways to prepare for natural disasters.
Here’s a snapshot of what will be available on the day:
- Meet local emergency services and support agencies
- See cooking demonstrations using pantry staples and items from your emergency kit
- Learn wildlife safety tips—how to deal with snakes and injured animals
- Talk to the Gatton Army Reservists about how they might support our community
- Visit the petting zoo and get some advice on keeping your pets safe in emergencies
- Chat with the Bureau of Meteorology about alerts and the BOM App
- Watch the Resilience Challenge and have a go at the giant obstacle course
- Test your skill at using a fire hose
- Watch a kitchen fire safety demonstration
- Grab a bite at the Lions Club sausage sizzle
There’s something for everyone – so come along and get involved, get informed and get ready!
For more information, visit www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/get-ready-day-2026
Shoulder widening on Lawlers Road, Grantham
Council will undertake shoulder widening works, followed by a bitumen seal, along Lawlers Road, Grantham.
The existing unsealed road shoulders have experienced ongoing deterioration due to prolonged wet weather conditions and increased traffic volumes.
In response, Council has prioritised improvements to this section of Lawlers Road. The works will include shoulder widening and minor upgrades at the Sandy Creek Road intersection to improve road safety, enhance network performance, and support the long-term maintenance of the asset.
Works are expected to begin approximately mid-July 2026 and will run for a period of three to four weeks between 6.30am and 4pm, weather pending.
Positions Vacant
Council is currently seeking applications for the positions of:
- Cleaner (Casual)
- Loader Operator (Construction) (Full Time, Permanent)
- Excavator Operator (Construction) (Full Time, Permanent)
- Team Leader (Construction) (Full Time, Permanent)
- Manager Facilities (Full Time, Contract)
- Plumbing Inspector (Full Time, Permanent)
These advertisements will close on Tuesday 28 July 2026 at 5pm. For more information and to apply, visit www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/current-vacancies
Survey submissions closing soon
If you haven’t already, help shape the future of the Lockyer Valley by telling us where you think new homes and jobs should be located.
Your voice matters and your feedback will guide how growth is managed across the region over the next two decades.
Tell us where you think this growth should or shouldn’t go by completing the Lockyer Valley Growth Management Survey!
For more information and to complete the online survey, visit lockyervalley.engagementhub.com.au
Paper copies of the survey are available at Council’s Customer Contact Centres and Libraries in Gatton and Laidley.
The survey closes 2 August 2026.
AusAlert test
A new national warning system, AusAlert, is coming in October. Before it launches, the system will be tested across Australia on Monday 27 July.
On Monday 27 July at 2pm AEST, your mobile devices, such as mobile phones, tablets and smart watches, may receive a test alert.
The message will vibrate and include a loud, siren-like sound that lasts about 10 seconds. If this could disrupt you or cause you or a loved one to feel unsafe, please turn off your mobile devices or switch them to aeroplane mode before the scheduled test time in your location, and leave them off for at least one hour.
As this is just a test, you don’t need to do anything, but in an actual disaster you should follow the alert instructions to keep yourself and others safe.
To learn what an AusAlert sounds like, visit ausalert.gov.au
Enter Laidley Spring Festival Parade!
Applications are now open for the 2026 Laidley Spring Festival Grand Street Parade, and this year’s theme is COUNTRY HARVEST.
Bring the country spirit to town with floats, tractors, farmyard fun, fresh produce, scarecrows and all things harvest season!
If it can be grown, driven, baked, picked, baled or loaded onto a trailer, we want to see it in the parade.
Parade Date: Saturday 12 September
Time: Rolling out from 10am sharp
Register now at: laidleyspringfestival.com/get-involved
Submit your nominations for 2027 Australia Day Awards
Lockyer Valley Regional Council is inviting the community to nominate individuals, organisations, and teams for the 2027 Australia Day Awards.
Award categories include:
- Citizen of the Year
- Young Citizen of the Year
- Senior Sportsperson of the Year
- Junior Sportsperson of the Year
- Event of the Year
- Community Organisation of the Year
To submit a nomination, visit https://lockyervalley.smartygrants.com.au/AusDay27
Nominations close midnight on Friday 4 December.
