Editor

Foundations hold firm in a year of great challenge

BRIGHTON Municipality Mayor Tony Foster says it is time to reflect on what has been a challenging and unique year for the Council and the community.

By TONY FOSTER

Mayor of Brighton

IT is worth reflecting on what has been a challenging and unique year for our Council, community, state, country and indeed the world.

There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic heralded massive changes in our lives and impacted everything – our home life, work, recreation and community activities.

From being relatively free to do almost anything we wanted to or were able to do, we were restricted to staying at home, working at home or remotely, children studying at home and not even being able to play with friends, services curtailed, sports and entertainment cancelled. Indeed, our whole way of life experienced unprecedented changes.

Brighton Municipality’s Bridgewater Bridge which along with the new Brighton High School, has its funding secured by the State and Federal Governments.

Fortunately for Tasmania, the pandemic was quickly brought under control and restrictions were slowly relaxed. At the time of writing, the situation here is almost back to some sort of normality and we are even welcoming visitors from most Australian states.

Testing still vital to COVID-19 strategy

TESTING Tasmanians who have symptoms that could be due to Coronavirus infection is a crucial part of the State’s response to the pandemic. Many symptoms of early and mild Coronavirus are the same as those of colds and flu and could even be confused with hay fever. Testing people with symptoms helps authorities work out if someone has Coronavirus, and if they do, to quickly isolate them, and trace and quarantine their contacts who may also be infected. This reduces the spread of Coronavirus in the community.

By MARK VEITCH*

TASMANIA did its first test for Coronavirus on 31 January this year. Since then we have performed more than 115,000 tests.

Testing people who have symptoms that could be due to Coronavirus infection is a crucial part of our response to the pandemic. Many symptoms of early and mild Coronavirus are the same as those of colds and flu and could even be confused with hay fever. Testing people with symptoms helps us to work out if someone has Coronavirus, and if they do, to quickly isolate them, and trace and quarantine their contacts who may also be infected. This reduces the spread of Coronavirus in the community.

Tasmania’s Director of Public Health Mark Veitch says testing still remains crucial to the State’s
COVID-19 strategy.

For many months people across Tasmania have done a great job of taking symptoms seriously and getting tested. This testing has given us confidence that Coronavirus has not been circulating in our communities.

Landfill a waste in every respect

WE all have to face facts and the facts are that sending our waste to landfill is not a long-term solution. For decades we’ve been using landfill as our waste option but as research has shown there are considerable issues associated with this type of waste disposal.

By PHIL OWEN*

WE all have to face facts and the facts are that sending our waste to landfill is not a long-term solution.

For decades we’ve been using landfill as our waste option but as research has shown there are considerable issues associated with this type of waste disposal.

The three most important issues with waste in landfill are toxins and the leachate it generates, and the greenhouse gases that are emitted.

Leachate is the liquid formed when waste breaks down in landfill and water filters through that waste. This liquid is highly toxic and can pollute surrounding land, groundwater and our waterways.

Season to play it safe

AS the weather warms, Brighton Municipality residents are being urged to check that they have the required safety measures in place around their swimming pools and spas.

Council’s General Manager James Dryburgh said in Tasmania pool and spa barriers were mandatory and have been legislated for pools and spas built since 1994.

“It is important our community abides by the laws that govern all pools and spas because they are there for the safety of everyone.”

Firstly, residents should check to see if they need to instal a pool barrier.

If your swimming pool or spa holds a depth of water of 300mm (30cm) or more and was installed from 1994 onwards, then you must install a pool safety barrier around your pool. A pool or hot tub cover is not regarded as a compliant barrier.

Beauty of Shed is the sharing

PETE’S Community Work Shed on Sorell Street in Bridgewater has been providing a safe workspace or anyone in the community to tinker or build for many years. In October the Shed held a barbecue and invited community members to attend as a way of thanking people for their support and to encourage new people to learn more about what the Shed offers.

PETE’S Community Work Shed on Sorell Street in Bridgewater has been providing a safe workspace or anyone in the community to tinker or build for many years.

In October the Shed held a barbecue and invited community members to attend as a way of thanking people for their support and to encourage new people to learn more about what the Shed offers.

Local Labor Members, Rebecca White, Craig Farrell and Jen Butler, have been long-time supporters of the Shed and were happy to help with its fundraising efforts by buying some of their handcrafted wares.

Opposition leader Rebecca White MP, Craig Farrell MLC, Jen Butler MP along with many happy people at Pete’s Community Shed.

“Pete’s Community Work Shed has been a big part of this community and continues to offer people of all ages and abilities the chance to learn to make something with their hands,” Mr Farrell said.

A Place of Pride – Survey sets community aspirations

BRIGHTON Municipality should be a place to feel proud of, that is clean and tidy with great local services and liveable neighbourhoods and housing. Those are some of the key findings of a recent community survey conducted by Brighton Council as part of a goal to develop a 30-year vision.

BRIGHTON Municipality should be a place to feel proud of, that is clean and tidy with great local services and liveable neighbourhoods and housing.

Those are some of the key findings of a recent community survey conducted by Brighton Council as part of a goal to develop a 30-year vision.

The online survey, which was held from August 27 until September 18, attracted more than 600 responses from every suburb in the Municipality, particularly from residents and local property owners.

Asked how the Municipality should be different in 2050, almost one in five called for more parks, trees, footpaths and bike and walking tracks.

Other top answers included more shopping and food options (16%), better transport (19%), opportunities for children and young people (11%), better planning and design (11%), a safer place to live (9%) and action on climate change and sustainability (9%).

Parkland Project Milestone

THE second phase of Brighton Council’s Bridgewater Parkland project, which will feature exciting signature pieces of equipment directly chosen by the Brighton community, is expected to be completed early next year.

The Bridgewater Parkland Master Plan 2016-2026, developed by landscape architects Play St, was endorsed by Brighton Council following extensive stakeholder and community consultation.

The master plan consists of two major components, the first a community parkland behind the Brighton Civic Centre and the second, a regional parkland on the Derwent River foreshore.

Mayor Tony Foster with Senator Claire Chandler and Brighton Council’s senior engineer project manager review the plans with work on Phase 2 of the project progressing in the background.

The first stage, which was completed and opened in spring two years ago, has been welcomed by the community, and the park is being used by a broad cross section of residents and families.

Brighton Mayor announces decision to retire

Tasmania’s longest-serving Mayor, Brighton’s Tony Foster has announced his intention to retire as Mayor and councillor on June 30 next year.

TASMANIA’S longest-serving Mayor, Brighton’s Tony Foster has announced his intention to retire on June 30 next year.

Cr Foster, who has served on Council for 35 years and the past 27 years as Mayor, last night advised Council of his intention to retire. Cr Foster said he was announcing his decision now to allow for a smooth and orderly transition to a new leadership.

The Mayor has overseen significant growth and development in Brighton over the past three and a half decades.

Lowest rates remain our continuing commitment

Brighton Council has an ongoing commitment to offer the lowest rates as well as the full range of services and facilities for our community.

By TONY FOSTER, Brighton Mayor

BRIGHTON Council has an ongoing commitment to offer the lowest rates as well as the full range of services and facilities for our community.

Ratepayers will be aware that in response to the impact of the COVID-19 emergency, Council was determined there would be no increase in the general rate for all ratepayers in the municipality this financial year. At the same time, we approved record capital works spending of $12.5 million.

In this way, Council is doing all that it can to stimulate the local economy, generate opportunities for the local workforce while providing enhanced services for our community and playing a positive role supporting economic recovery.

Over the past 25 years, our Fair Rating Policy has ensured the Brighton Municipality has enjoyed the lowest per capita rates in Tasmania and benefited from the most efficient local government operations in the State. At the same time, we are one of Tasmania’s fastest-growing municipalities and this development has imposed additional costs as we have had to provide the services and facilities necessary to support more people, homes and a growing number of businesses.

Dry spell hits hard

Brighton Council, with all Tasmanian councils, has been impacted by the loss of promised dividends from its investment in TasWater, as well as unprecedented costs of responding to the COVID-19 emergency.

BRIGHTON Council, with all Tasmanian councils, has been impacted by the loss of promised dividends from its investment in TasWater, as well as unprecedented costs of responding to the COVID-19 emergency.

TasWater is owned by local government, with the State Government taking a minority stake following its cash injection agreed in 2018. Councils had already accepted a reduction in dividends to assist the water and sewerage corporation’s accelerated 10-year capital program.

The dividend was suddenly halved last financial year. This year, the dividend payment has been cut completely.

TasWater was established in 2013, with councils handing over their water and sewerage infrastructure, built and paid for by ratepayers, in return for ‘guaranteed’ dividend payments every year.