Council
4 September, 2025
Somerset’s home boost
SOMERSET residents are set to benefit from faster housing development, with the State Government announcing $5 million in funding for the Fernvale South Productivity Link (FSPL).
The project is expected to create a new 4.3km double-lane road connecting Lowood to the Brisbane Valley Highway, opening land for around 2,000 new dwellings and easing traffic in Fernvale town centre.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said they welcome the funding, as the Fernvale and Lowood district is primed for rapid growth, being right on the doorstop of Ipswich City and less than an hour from Brisbane.
“The FSPL is a significant project, creating a new double-lane road on Muckerts Lane and McCulkins Lane, connecting Lowood to the Brisbane Valley Highway and opening a new housing corridor in our region,” he said.
The State’s Residential Activation Fund (RAF) is part of a landmark $2 billion initiative, aiming to fast-track construction-ready land and critical infrastructure across Queensland.
In Somerset, the FSPL will provide the necessary road infrastructure to support the region’s growth while making housing developments more accessible and sustainable.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the fund would transform regional housing.
“These partnerships with local councils will transform the housing landscape in regional, rural and remote Queensland, give more Queenslanders a place to call home,” he said.
Lockyer MP Jim McDonald called these investments “game-changers” for the region.
The FSPL forms part of a broader strategy that includes infrastructure upgrades in Toowoomba, Gatton, and Dalby, collectively unlocking 2,560 new homes across Southern Queensland.
Somerset residents stand to gain from increased housing options, improved road connectivity, and strengthened local economic growth as the region prepares for rapid population expansion.
Mayor Wendt said the project would create a “new housing corridor” while maintaining the quality of life in Fernvale and Lowood, ensuring the area grows in a way that benefits both residents and the local economy.
