The $800 million new Bridgewater Bridge can realise a far broader return on investment for the tax-payer than its core purpose of better movement of people and goods.

As the Mayor of Brighton Council, I am thrilled to share what I believe to be a generational opportunity for our community—the transformative growth of the Bridgewater precinct. This ambitious vision, powered by the $800 million new Bridgewater Bridge, stands as a beacon of strategic development, promising to unlock housing opportunities, improve transport options, enhance commercial spaces, and stimulate private capital investment.

It provides the key catalyst for the well-planned and integrated development of a precinct on its western side that can contain around 800 new dwellings, a commercial strip, public open space and waterfront recreation and the rare ability to plan in an active and public transport network from the beginning. All of this, within a 10 minute walk of the Brighton Industrial hub, which already employs 1,000 people and will likely employ a further 1,000 within 10 years.

The Midland Highway used to provide a hard separation between Bridgewater and the growth precinct to the west, but with the opening of the new bridge and due to its elevation, we now have the two parts properly connected. What’s more, Old Main Road, which has been a dead end for decades has now become an important connector road, presenting an excellent opportunity for urban regeneration – a ready-made ‘high street’ with commercial and medium density opportunities to support a major suburb expansion.

Our team has worked tire­lessly over the past two years, supported by federal funding and the invaluable expertise of external professionals, to lay the groundwork for this vision. More recently, the Committee for Greater Hobart has been a great supporter of the proj­ect, partnering with council, recognising the importance of this precinct to Greater Hobart and the way its integration can compliment the city as a whole.

The collaborative effort of all three tiers of government— local, state, and federal—will be instrumental in bringing this vision to life and ensuring that every goal, from housing diversity close to services and employment to economic vitality and great liveable spaces, is achieved.

This is why it is incredibly heartening to witness both the state Liberal and Labor parties championing this vision alongside us. Their support and the federal funding for enabling infrastructure are crucial in transforming Bridgewater into a vibrant, thriving precinct that seamlessly integrates land use, infrastructure, and urban renewal.

There is an existing competi­tive federal grant (the Urban Precincts Partnerships Pro­gram) of up to $55 million over two streams for new precinct master planning and enabling infrastructure. We believe with Council, the state and our key utilities working together on this, we can compete with any­where in the country for these funds – such is the opportunity we have before us.

And for those who shudder about the potential planning processes, the entire area has been within the Urban Growth Boundary for 15 years and the project can confidently navigate the current planning system without the need for any legislation.

From delivering approximately 800 new homes near essen­tial amenities to prioritising liveability and connectivity in precinct design, our strategic and integrated planning prom­ises sustainable growth. The co-creation with stakeholders, including the Indigenous com­munity and Brighton Youth Action Group, will ensure that our development is inclusive and beneficial for all. It is rare in Tasmania that we have a chance to design in active and public transport networks as well as open space and recreation at this scale, from the beginning.

This initiative is not just about building structures but about building a community where smart growth and infrastruc­ture support new housing, connectivity, accessible local education and employment opportunities, a recreation network and a thriving activity centre.

The Bridgewater Precinct stands ready to drive long-term well-planned growth across Bridgewater and Greater Hobart, making a bold trans­formation that demonstrates what we can achieve in Tas­mania. Let us embrace this once-in-a-generation opportu­nity with unified enthusiasm, knowing that together, we are paving the way for a brighter, more prosperous tomorrow.

Brighton Mayor

Leigh Gray