On 5 February 2026, Mayor Jason Wendt unveiled the Somerset Growth & Planning Strategy (2026–2031), a five‑year roadmap to manage rapid population growth in Fernvale and the wider Somerset region. The strategy adopts an “infrastructure‑first” approach — prioritising roads, utilities and community services so housing can be delivered with supporting infrastructure already in place.
Council planning is preparing for a population expected to exceed 42,000 by 2046 under the State Government’s ShapingSEQ targets. A major part of the strategy is the Fernvale South Productivity Link (FSPL), a package of road and intersection upgrades in the southern Fernvale area designed to unlock land for up to 2,000 new homes while improving key connections and reducing congestion.
The initiative is reflected in Council’s 2025–2026 budget and backed by Queensland Government funding programs. Council has identified the project as being supported by its record $114 million 2025–2026 budget and by the State’s Residential Activation Fund to accelerate enabling infrastructure. Mayor Jason Wendt said the strategy “ensures we are no longer playing catch-up” with development pressures in the Fernvale–Lowood growth corridor.
While the strategy focuses on Fernvale and Lowood, it also includes planning and infrastructure work that extends to Esk, Kilcoy and Toogoolawah. Council documents say the aim is to preserve the region’s rural amenity while making sure facilities such as roads, sewage and schools are planned ahead of growth. The council has policies to prioritise local businesses — including a previously adopted 10% local‑supplier weighting in tender evaluations — to help keep construction benefits in the community.
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