Brighton Council has taken a bold step to support first home buyers, resolving to waive general rates for the first 12 months for residents building their first home in the municipality. The new policy, endorsed by councillors at the 17 March Council meeting, will provide first home builders with financial relief in their first year of home ownership.

Brighton Mayor Leigh Gray said the initiative reinforces the municipality’s reputation as Tasmania’s ‘First Home- Owner Capital’. Under the policy, Council will waive the General Rate for 12 months for first home builders who can demonstrate they have qualified for the State Government’s First Home Builder Grant. The current General Rate for residential properties ranges from $1,145 to $1,260 per dwelling per year.

“We want Brighton to be the place where young Tasmanians can build their future,” Mayor Gray said. “Building your first home is exciting, but it can also be financially challenging. Waiving rates in the first year means one less bill to worry about while people settle into their new home.”

Brighton already leads Tasmania in first home ownership, with the highest per-capita uptake of First Home Owner Grants in the state, and the youngest median age of any Tasmanian municipality. It is also one of Tasmania’s fastest growing regions, with the number of local jobs doubling over the past 13 years.