Weekly News Briefs - 20 August 2026
Rate Notices issued
Council has issued rate notices for the period 1 July through to 31 December 2026, with payment due by 16 September 2026.
Any resident who has changed address or applied for a pensioner rebate after 4 August 2026 is asked to contact Council to confirm details.
For further enquiries, contact Council’s Rates Department at mailbox@lvrc.qld.gov.au or call 1300 005 872.
Laidley Spring Festival returns next month
The 2026 Laidley Spring Festival returns 11–12 September, followed by Bee Happy Day in Forest Hill on 13 September.
The Laidley Spring Festival is a town-wide celebration where shopfronts become colourful displays, locals become storytellers, growers share what they’ve grown, makers showcase what they’ve created, and visitors are welcomed like old friends.
Expect streets filled with music, classic cars rolling in for the Show ’n’ Shine, plants galore at the Spring Gardening Fair, markets full of treasures, twilight moments under festoon lights, and plenty of opportunities to eat, explore and discover the people who make the Lockyer Valley special.
Check out our full program at www.laidleyspringfestival.com
Council adopts trunk infrastructure changes
Council has adopted the Lockyer Valley Infrastructure Charges Resolution 2026.
The new Charges Resolution provides for an increase to infrastructure charges in accordance with the Planning Act 2016.
Infrastructure charges contribute to the cost of establishing trunk infrastructure. Council levies infrastructure charges for trunk infrastructure associated with roads, stormwater and parks and land for community facilities. Urban Utilities levies infrastructure charges separately for water and sewerage infrastructure.
The increase in charges will assist with the provision of trunk infrastructure in the region and reduce the cost burden on the community in meeting this obligation.
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, bailed, 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
Nikki Mottram Author Talk
Come along for an in-conversation event with Toowoomba author Nikki Mottram to hear about her latest title, Helidon.
Child protection worker Dana Gibson is called to attend a fatal shooting at the pub in Helidon where a bikie gang war has exploded. Nineteen-year-old Savannah and her younger sister, Maddie, have been caught in the crossfire, and the rural town finds itself divided between two cultures – the commune on the edge of town where Savannah’s family live and an outlaw motorcycle gang.
Rife with suspense and intrigue, Helidon, the third instalment of the Dana Gibson series is an addictive page-turner.
WHERE: Gatton Library
WHEN: Wednesday 9 September, 6pm
Bookings essential at https://tinyurl.com/yeysm285
Council Pop-Ups
Council's next pop-ups will be held at:
Laidley Spring Festival
Date: Friday, 11 and Saturday, 12 September
Time: 5pm - 9pm (Friday), 8am - 3pm (Saturday)
Venue: Laidley Recreational Reserve
Swing by for a chat with councillors and staff, ask questions, and provide feedback on issues that matter most to you and your community.
Councillors will continue to attend a wide range of community events and be available for conversations with community members.
Find out more about the Council Pop-Up schedule on Council’s website.
Book Week celebrations at Lockyer Valley Libraries
Book Week celebrations will be held at Lockyer Valley Libraries – and you’re invited to come along!
A special Book Week Story Time will be held on Tuesday 25 August (9.30am at Laidley, 10am at Gatton).
Children, families and attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favourite book character and join the fun.
