Category: From the Mayor

COVID-19 brings unprecedented times

 

By TONY FOSTER

Brighton Mayor 

WE are experiencing unprecedented times amid a national emergency that is creating challenges that we’ve never previously had to deal with, perhaps the exception is the two World Wars and the Great Depression.

I don’t want to be alarmist, but we do have to face reality. The COVID-19 pandemic means that travel has been severely curtailed and for many people, even close contact with family and friends has been restricted. We’ve seen panic buying of many staples, even toilet paper and tissues, although we’ve been assured that there are no shortages and Australia has plenty of supplies to meet the community’s need and demand. Continue reading “COVID-19 brings unprecedented times”

Brighton municipality in good shape

By TONY FOSTER

AT the end of November, I had the opportunity to deliver my State of the Council address for 2017 and I was pleased to report Brighton is in extremely good shape.

Travelling around our municipality, I must say it has never looked better. And it will look even better by this time next year on the completion of the major work projects Council now has underway. These include the Brighton Streetscape, the Brighton Bowls Club upgrading, Covehill Bridge, Bridgewater and Old Beach Parks, the Old Beach Jetty and the planting of trees on East Derwent Highway. Continue reading “Brighton municipality in good shape”

It’s time Labor revealed its policy on pokies

By TONY FOSTER

Mayor of Brighton

WITH less than six months to go before the next State election, we are about to be bombarded with promises, policy announcements and claims of past achievements from political parties and candidates seeking to win our votes for parliament.

The key issues for Brighton remain the same as they have been in past elections – health, education, economic development, employment, roads and transport, public safety and the provision of essential community services. Continue reading “It’s time Labor revealed its policy on pokies”

Brighton’s success story in gaining grant funding

By TONY FOSTER*

BRIGHTON Council has long been successful in gaining Commonwealth and State Government grant funding for important community projects in our municipality.

And deservedly so. As a diverse, outer suburban and rural municipality, we do not have the advantages of a central business district or major industry to provide the rate base to finance everything that we, as a Council, would like to do. Continue reading “Brighton’s success story in gaining grant funding”

Bridgewater Bridge must be built for the future

 By TONY FOSTER*

THE design for a new Bridgewater Bridge must meet future needs and not just current-day demands.

As a vital link in the north-south network, Bridgewater needs a bridge that will meet Tasmania’s requirements, not just today, but for next 100 years.

Looking forward a century is the sort of vision and leadership that Tasmania requires, but sadly, leadership and a real vision for the future is lacking with the current proposal to replace the Bridgewater Bridge. Continue reading “Bridgewater Bridge must be built for the future”

Council determined to protect ratepayers’ interests

 

By TONY FOSTER

Mayor

THE fight to retain local government ownership of TasWater continues, with the State Government recently releasing a highly biased report from Infrastructure Tasmania to support its crude takeover bid.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein also called on councils to back off and allow him to take control of this multi-billion-dollar asset free of any opposition.

Continue reading “Council determined to protect ratepayers’ interests”

State Government can’t be trusted to run TasWater

 

By TONY FOSTER

Mayor of Brighton

TASMANIANS are currently being bombarded by a wave of propaganda from the State Government and business groups such as the Property Council, Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other vested interests attempting to persuade them that the proposed takeover of TasWater will benefit the community.

But public be warned. This is a clear case of spin over substance. Continue reading “State Government can’t be trusted to run TasWater”

Brighton keeps its fair rates at CPI  – Treasurer’s actions threaten Council commitment

By TONY FOSTER

I AM pleased to be able to report that Brighton Council will keep its rate rise in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase for the coming year.

This will mean a rate rise of just $19 for the year for all residential households in the municipality. The Council’s budget and rate rise, approved in principle at the May Council meeting are reported on in this issue of Brighton Community News.

As you can read, it is the 22nd year in succession Council has been able to keep rate rises at or below the annual rate of inflation, but sadly, this commitment is under threat purely by the actions of the State Government and particularly by Treasurer Peter Gutwein. Continue reading “Brighton keeps its fair rates at CPI  – Treasurer’s actions threaten Council commitment”

Council maintains highest standards of integrity, service and transparency

By TONY FOSTER

BRIGHTON Council has an impressive record of transparency and communicating with ratepayers and the local community.

As Mayor, I am proud of this achievement which is recognised throughout Tasmania and beyond. For example, we are one of the few councils in Tasmania that produces a community newspaper and invites local groups to contribute to this monthly publication.

Our Council meetings are open to the public, our people are accessible, and we provide regular reports on the Council’s finances and the full range of Council operations and business.

So, for a Councillor to accuse Council of not being transparent is more than disappointing. It is, in fact, insulting to all other Councillors and to our extremely professional Council management and staff. Continue reading “Council maintains highest standards of integrity, service and transparency”

Community views must be considered in pokies’ review

By TONY FOSTER

THE Parliamentary Joint Select Committee that is currently considering the future of gaming in Tasmania must consider the views of the community in reaching its recommendation.

For too long, too many Tasmanian families have suffered from electronic gaming machines ripping money out of the community. Unfortunately, successive governments are as much addicted to gaming tax revenue as the casino owners are to the profits from pokies in pubs and clubs around the State. Continue reading “Community views must be considered in pokies’ review”