Author: Ingrid

GAGEBROOK residents may recall landscape architects Inspiring Place conducted a survey on behalf of Brighton Council late last year to determine what are the local community’s thoughts relating to a refurbishment of the Cris Fitzpatrick Park area. Inspiring Place also spent time at Bond Place with a ‘talk’ stall so children and parents could chat directly about their hopes for the future of the park.

Brighton Council thanks residents who provided feedback on what it wanted to see improved.   The draft master plan incorporates feedback from more than 160 residents. 

Brighton Council’s general manager James Dryburgh said residents said they would like to see a water play feature and picnic shelter with barbecues as well as other important amenities such as lights, seating, improved maintenance/cleaning and a fence or barrier between the park and Tottenham Road for improved safety. 

THE second phase of Brighton Council’s Bridgewater Parkland project is on track to be completed in May with good progress being made on the installation of key pieces of play equipment in recent weeks.  

The Climbing Forest with viewing platform was installed in March and concrete footpaths will be constructed over the coming weeks.

Other pieces of play equipment chosen by the community and already installed include a fort with double spiral tunnel, the mouse house and giant birds’ nest swing.

After Easter, residents will see large plantings and landscaping works begin on site, with the shade sails over the giant birds’ nest swing to be constructed later this month.

Additional works in the run up to completion will include carpark construction, power supply and construction of the barbecue and toilet facilities.

FEDERAL Member for Lyons Brian Mitchell MP recently met with Sonya Williams of Brighton Care Collective (BCC) for a lesson in how to use the BCC card.

The Brighton Care Collective brings together a variety of local services aimed at keeping people healthy, including include GP surgeries and their staff, pharmacies, social workers, community nurses, housing services, physiotherapists, and child health services.

“The BCC is an absolutely vital service for many of my constituents,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Having these organisations work together means that people are able to get access to the services they need quickly.”

Mr Mitchell congratulated all the organisations involved in the Brighton Care Collective.

LOCAL Government has welcomed the Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council’s (PESRAC) final report which promotes among other things, structural reform of Tasmania’s local government sector.

As the level of government closest to communities, local government supports a reform process that delivers change in the best interests of Tasmanian communities.

In order for community voices to be heard, a reform process must be collaborative with council and communities. It must work to understand what councils are delivering well, the challenges they face and importantly, take the time to understand the community’s needs.

“The Local Government of Tasmania (LGAT) welcomes genuine discussion and collaboration around a changed approach to local government reform,” said LGAT president Mayor Christina Holmdahl.

“We know from other states that successful reform must be community led. Each community’s challenges and strengths have to be understood to identify the right services for them now and into the future,” Cr Holmdahl said.

PROGRESS continues on a brand new seven to 12 high school for the Brighton community, with a consortium comprising Jaws Architects and Heffernan Button Voss Architects just appointed to design the new school.

Both local architectural firms have significant experience in designing contemporary education infrastructure in Tasmania. Their appointment represents a major milestone for the project.

A project working group will be established this month to begin development of a concept master plan for the site at 1 Elderslie Road. The community reference group established in late 2018 will also be reconvened and meet quarterly throughout the development process to provide opportunity to review progress.

Minister for Education and Training Jeremy Rockliff said extensive community engagement had already been undertaken for the new high school and once a concept plan was developed, it would also be made available to the broader community for feedback.

WORK on Brighton Municipality’s new Regional Sports Centre is proceeding  and is still on track for completion mid-May.

Brighton’s general manager James Dryburgh said works were well underway on the new facility which would create a revitalised multi-purpose facility to cater for the needs of local sports clubs and the community and will provide a significant economic boost for the Brighton municipality and surrounding regions.

The redevelopment will provide modern, upgraded facilities for the Brighton Football and Cricket Clubs, and the wider community.

Works have now begun on the second storey of the building with steelwork being craned into place. Framing of the second floor also taking place. 

Plasterers are on site, beginning work on the ground floor, and power upgrades are being undertaken. 

BRIGHTON Council has developed a public art strategy in conjunction with Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) curator Emma Pike. 

Council’s general manager James Dryburgh said the new strategy’s aim was to add value to the cultural, aesthetic and economic vitality of Brighton Municipality’s community. 

“It’s well known public art contributes to a community’s identity, fosters community pride and a sense of belonging, and enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors. That’s why Council endorsed a public art strategy for our community that would help us to develop projects within the community for the future.