Somerset Dam General Store

06/09/2026

UPDATE STAY INFORMED - Plainland and Hatton Vale - fire as at 4:47pm Sunday, 6 September 2026

🔥🔥PREPARE TO LEAVE - Plainland - fire as at 3:18pm Sunday, 6 September 2026🔥🔥

Warning level: WATCH AND ACT

Warning area: Between Laidley Plainland Road, Donaldson Road and Weier Road

A dangerous fast moving fire is burning near the Warrego Highway, Plainland. It is moving towards Weier Road.

Prepare to leave as the situation could get worse quickly.

Avoid driving on the Warrego Highway, near Plainland.

06/09/2026

Local fire ban for Ipswich and Lockyer Valley residents
Queensland Fire Department (QFD) has imposed a local fire ban for Ipswich and Lockyer Valley residents.

The local fire ban will be in place from 0001hrs on Sunday 6 September for residents in the Ipswich City and Lockyer Valley Regional Local Government Areas.

26/08/2026

26/08/2026

New Trading Hours effective from 26th August

19/08/2026

Thank you to our Councillors coming out today. It’s important to come and join in the conversations about our community and see what’s happening.

A big thank you to all the Somerset community members who came along to chat with your councillors today. It was great to hear your thoughts, ideas and concerns and to have some conversations about our community.

A special thank you to the team at Somerset Dam General Store for hosting us and making us feel so welcome.

We appreciate you taking the time to come and have a chat.

17/08/2026

‘Come and Chat’ with a Somerset Councillor in August. This is an opportunity for residents to speak directly with elected representatives and learn about Council’s projects and plans.

The next session will be held:
🕛 10am-12pm
📅 Wednesday, 19 August
📍 Somerset Dam General Store, Somerset Dam

Due to other commitments, not all Councillors may be available for the full session.

06/08/2026

A little reminder we will be open on Ekka Show Holiday. Come join us for a tasty Coffee & Brekky Or even make it lunch and have a catch up with some dear friends 💙

06/08/2026

Ever wondered why a dam has a spillway? 🌊

Well, sometimes you have to move some of that stored water— whether it’s to send to a treatment plant or removing excess—and it has to be moved in a way that doesn’t damage the dam on the way out.

A spillway is a dam's purpose-built pathway for water.

Without a spillway, water could spill over parts of the dam that weren't designed for it and wash away the ground around the dam wall, threatening the structure itself.

But it's not always just about directing water. Water flowing downhill can pick up serious speed and force, so many spillways have energy-dissipation structures to slow it down, reduce that energy and help minimise erosion downstream.

Some spillways, like those on our ungated dams, start flowing automatically once water hits a certain level. Others use gates to manage releasing water more actively, like at Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine. Either way, the job's the same: move water in a way that protects the dam. 🌊

Spillway flows can still be fast, deep and dangerous so it’s important to follow local warnings and stay away from flooded waterways.