Editor

Brighton to benefit big time from government promises

THE Brighton Municipality will be a major beneficiary of State and Federal Government funding over the next three to four years as a result of project commitments and election promises.

The two big ticket items are the $576 million replacement Bridgewater Bridge and the new $50 million Brighton High School. The new Bridgewater Bridge is part of the Hobart City Deal with the Federal Government and is the largest single transport infrastructure project in Tasmania’s history and the Brighton High School will provide state-of-the-art learning facilities for Years seven to 12 students.

The recent state election saw the re-elected Liberal Government make a range of promises to improve services and facilities for the Brighton community.

Brighton Council will receive $250,000 for a neighbourhood park in Herdsmans Cove and a further $250,000 towards the Cris Fitzpatrick Park master plan in Gagebrook.

Prompt action needed on election pledges

NOW the State Election has concluded, and the Liberal Government is installed for a further four years Brighton, like all Tasmanian regions, is looking forward to the early implementation of the promises made in the lead up to the May 1 poll.

By TONY FOSTER Mayor of Brighton

To this point, I have written to Premier Peter Gutwein, firstly congratulating him on his election win, but more importantly, seeking advice on the timetable for converting the promises made for the Brighton Municipality into reality.

Of course, our municipality and community will benefit from two major initiatives already announced prior to the election – the new Brighton High School and the replacement Bridgewater Bridge, as well as many of the state-wide initiatives announced during the campaign.

Two major initiatives were announced prior to the election – the new Brighton High School and the replacement Bridgewater Bridge, as well as many of the statewide initiatives announced during the campaign.

Planning is already well-advanced for the replacement Bridgewater Bridge and the construction of the Brighton High School and this new term of government should see both projects through to completion.

Memorial Reserve shift

THE Bridgewater Memorial Reserve, which is on Brighton Council land on the Bridgewater foreshore adjacent to Nielsen Esplanade and downstream of the existing Bridgewater Bridge, will be relocated during the new Bridgewater Bridge Project.

The Reserve is within the declared Major Project area for the new bridge and is likely to be impacted by either permanent or temporary works during the new bridge’s construction. Therefore, it will be relocated to a more suitable location outside the impacted area before bridge construction begins in 2022.

At the May Brighton Council meeting, a new location near the Bridgewater Parkland Stage 2 on the Bridgewater foreshore adjacent to Hayfield Place was endorsed as the preferred relocation.

Brighton Council’s general manager James Dryburgh said planning and investigations for the new bridge were underway.

Culture, history feted during NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week, which is held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be celebrated from July 4 -11 this year.

A special event is planned for Risdon Cove with a flag raising at piyura kitina (Risdon Cove) on Monday July 5 at 11.30am.

Youth week an all-round blast

CENTACARE Evolve Housing (CEH) partnered with Southern City BMX to host a BMX and ‘BBQ Arvo’ at the Gagebrook Skate Park during Youth Week. BMX coaching was provided by Southern City on the bike track and there were activities for all ages provided by the CEH Community Wellbeing team.

A highlight was the Mother’s Day card and a ‘paint your pot and grow your own veggies’ gift station. A spray painting and craft, and free barbecue were highlights of the day. Bridgewater PCYC provided another stand out activity, a Mobile Activity Centre.

More than 200 community members took part in the fun with perfect weather and plenty of music, bean bags to play on all creating a fun family environment.

Youth Week attracted a lot of action and thanks to Communities for Children, CatholicCare and the Red Cross the day was a blast for everyone.

Jab’s for good of all

COVID-19 vaccinations are a big step towards protecting the lives of millions of people worldwide and reducing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr SHANNON MELODY*

COVID-19 vaccinations are a big step towards protecting the lives of millions of people worldwide and reducing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. All Tasmanians should have accurate information to help them make an informed decision about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination is an important way to protect you, your family and your community against COVID-19.

High levels of vaccination against COVID-19 are a key tool in fighting the pandemic. If most of the adult population gets vaccinated, this will reduce the pandemic’s health, social and economic impacts.

Two COVID-19 vaccines are currently available in Australia: the Pfizer vaccine and the AstraZeneca vaccine. Both vaccines require two doses. For the Pfizer vaccine, you will receive two vaccinations approximately three weeks apart. For the AstraZeneca vaccine, you will receive two vaccinations about 12 weeks apart.

Decisions about which vaccine to administer are based on the best medical evidence available.

Both vaccines are highly effective at reducing the severity of COVID-19. Both vaccines work by training your immune system to recognise and respond to the virus that causes COVID-19.

Mysterious Jerry lives up to his name

By SHERYL RAINBIRD

THIS month’s hidden gem is almost as hard to predict when you will see it as last month’s emus at the Jordan River Learning Federation School Farm. He likes the cold mornings and May to August are his favourite months to make his appearance. He is known as a Bridgewater local and in fact is quite famous, having his own Facebook page, and was even the focus of a recent question on The Chase television show.

This month’s hidden gem is none other than the Bridgewater Jerry. But what actually is the Bridgewater Jerry? According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the Bridgewater Jerry forms when katabatic winds, a type of drainage or downslope wind, push cold air down from the hills after low temperatures during the night resulting in fog on the rivers at the base of the hills. There are two river basins which meet in Bridgewater and the build-up in this area pushes the fog down the River Derwent.

The magnificent Bridgewater Jerry makes its way down the River Derwent on cold days from May till August.

Vets HQ has heap of action in the pipeline

THE Veteran’s Memorial Centre Bridgewater has plenty happening in the next month, but it still has hall bookings. Bridgewater/Gagebrook Social Page recently held a community fundraiser disco which was a great success, and the Centre would like to thank all the families and community members who support these events for their great community spirit.

In July, the Centre will be holding a Lorraine Lea Linen Party and Pure Romance, which is a fundraiser for the Centre. Everyone is welcome to come along, and afternoon tea is provided. This will be an online event.

President Anthony Bangar Bannister behind the bar at the Veteran’s Memorial Centre.

Good to go FOGO in Brighton

AS Brighton Council continues towards the introduction of a FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) service in the Municipality, there are questions about how it will all work. Starting this month, Brighton Community News will provide a Q&A section to answer FOGO questions. The new FOGO service is expected to begin around October this year.

What are the benefits to me as a resident?

A FOGO collection will greatly reduce the amount of waste that goes into your general waste bin. This will help if you have difficulty fitting your waste into your existing bin.

A FOGO collection will help you dispose of organic waste not normally composted at home, such as meat, dairy, citrus, eggshells, banana skins as well as pet fur and pet waste; and weeds, diseased plants and bigger twigs and branches if you don’t have access to a mulching machine.

You’ll no longer need to make trips to the Waste Transfer Station, saving money and time. If you have a lot of garden waste, you can spread it across multiple collections.

Political promises must be delivered

By TONY FOSTER Brighton Mayor
SO, another State election is over and done, although almost a year earlier than anticipated, and multiple promises have been made in an attempt to win the community’s favour.

By TONY FOSTER, Mayor of Brighton

ANOTHER State election is over and done, although almost a year earlier than anticipated, and multiple promises have been made in an attempt to win the community’s favour.

At times I just wish local government had access to the money that the political parties throw around at election time. With our intimate knowledge of the local community’s needs, I’d guarantee that councils would be more effective in delivering the much-needed works and support that the public wants.

But the important point is, whatever has been promised by those gaining power, it must be delivered.

I read an interesting article recently that reported that of all the election promises made by the winning parties at election time, only 75 per cent were delivered. Others, particularly major capital works, may have been delivered but were delayed, postponed or stretched over many, many years and were promised multiple times at successive elections.