From the Mayor Archives - Brighton Community News

Unique project to boost jobs and business across region

A new employment and business support initiative is being taken by the South Central Sub-region group of councils and will bring with it the promise of significant benefits for Brighton Municipality and surrounding municipalities.

By TONY FOSTER

Mayor of Brighton

THIS issue of Brighton Community News reports on a new employment and business support initiative being taken by our South Central Sub-region group of councils that brings with it the promise of significant benefits for Brighton and surrounding municipalities.

The four councils comprising the sub-region group are Brighton, Central Highlands, Derwent Valley and Southern Midlands and we’ve been working cooperatively and successfully on a range of projects over the past 15 years.

But this is one of the most ambitious projects we’ve undertaken and one that is crucially important for Brighton and our three partner councils. The key objectives are to identify employment needs and opportunities in the sub-region, the skills shortages and training requirements of business and industry, and to successfully connect the local workforce to local jobs.

We want to see more local businesses employing local people and to this end, we’ve announced the appointment of experienced specialist Anthony McConnon as the workforce development coordinator to oversee the project. Anthony has already begun work and his initial three-year appointment has been made possible through a grant from the Tasmanian Community Fund, with additional financial and logistical support from the four councils.

How our actions now will pay off down the track

Recently installed energy efficient LED street lighting will see a net reduction in Brighton Municipality’s carbon footprint of 36 tonnes of CO2 annually, equating to a 720-tonne saving over the 20-year life span of the fittings.

By TONY FOSTER

Brighton Mayor

THE Brighton Municipality is recognised as one of the most progressive in Tasmania and Council is proud if its many initiatives that not only protect our environment and surroundings, but also save valuable resources and indeed money that can be directed to other services.

As one of the State’s fastest-growing municipalities, Brighton has recognised the need to ensure there is community ownership of how it can be more sustainable and self-sufficient. Council is already doing this by increasing education programs on waste minimisation such as composting home waste, lessening single-use plastic in the home, and encouraging residents to start worm farms. We all know that waste management is a major cost for the community and Brighton, like all councils, is working hard to develop the most efficient systems and practices.

There is much we can do around the home and in coming months we will promote a range of practical ideas to help the community manage its waste footprint. With waste costs increasing and the possibility of levies being introduced, actions we take now to minimise waste and maximise resource recovery will save ratepayers money in the long term.

Major developments significant lift for Brighton

By TONY FOSTER*

THE Brighton Municipality received a positive boost in July with further confirmation of three highly-anticipated, much-needed and welcomed major developments – the replacement Bridgewater Bridge, the new Brighton High School and the upgrading of the Jordan River Learning Centre School Farm.

Each of these projects is strongly supported by Brighton Council and individually and collectively they will provide a significant lift to our local economy and social fabric.

Continue reading “Major developments significant lift for Brighton”

Better times as Brighton moves forward

By TONY FOSTER

Mayor

WITH coronavirus restrictions now being eased, some normality is returning and I am confident that we can at last look to better times ahead.

Restaurants, hotels and clubs, playgrounds and recreation areas are opening up, sporting and leisure activities are again possible and where appropriate, people are returning to their places of work. This is all good news for our community. Continue reading “Better times as Brighton moves forward”

Record capital program a positive response to COVID-19

By TONY FOSTER

Mayor of Brighton

BRIGHTON Council will not increase general rates for the next financial year and will implement a record capital works program as the Municipality responds to the impact of the coronavirus shutdown.

Undoubtedly, the shutdown, with many businesses closed, people working reduced hours, others working from home, and sadly some losing their jobs, Council sees this as a positive, but the responsible response to the current economic environment. Continue reading “Record capital program a positive response to COVID-19”

A healthy community is everyone’s responsibility

By TONY FOSTER

Brighton Mayor

WE are certainly in changing times. Social distancing, working from home or remote locations, only venturing out for essential reasons, closures of hotels, restaurants and public venues and a range of other sacrifices have become the new normal as the world attempts to overcome the unprecedented coronavirus emergency.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the Brighton Municipality who is acting responsibly and heeding the messages and advice that we are being given by our State and Federal Governments and the State and National health authorities. Continue reading “A healthy community is everyone’s responsibility”

COVID-19 brings unprecedented times

By TONY FOSTER

Brighton Mayor

WE are experiencing unprecedented times amid a national emergency that is creating challenges that we’ve never previously had to deal with, perhaps the exception is the two World Wars and the Great Depression.

I don’t want to be alarmist, but we do have to face reality. The COVID-19 pandemic means that travel has been severely curtailed and for many people, even close contact with family and friends has been restricted. We’ve seen panic buying of many staples, even toilet paper and tissues, although we’ve been assured that there are no shortages and Australia has plenty of supplies to meet the community’s need and demand. Continue reading “COVID-19 brings unprecedented times”

Brighton municipality in good shape

By TONY FOSTER

AT the end of November, I had the opportunity to deliver my State of the Council address for 2017 and I was pleased to report Brighton is in extremely good shape.

Travelling around our municipality, I must say it has never looked better. And it will look even better by this time next year on the completion of the major work projects Council now has underway. These include the Brighton Streetscape, the Brighton Bowls Club upgrading, Covehill Bridge, Bridgewater and Old Beach Parks, the Old Beach Jetty and the planting of trees on East Derwent Highway. Continue reading “Brighton municipality in good shape”

It’s time Labor revealed its policy on pokies

By TONY FOSTER

Mayor of Brighton

WITH less than six months to go before the next State election, we are about to be bombarded with promises, policy announcements and claims of past achievements from political parties and candidates seeking to win our votes for parliament.

The key issues for Brighton remain the same as they have been in past elections – health, education, economic development, employment, roads and transport, public safety and the provision of essential community services. Continue reading “It’s time Labor revealed its policy on pokies”

Brighton’s success story in gaining grant funding

By TONY FOSTER*

BRIGHTON Council has long been successful in gaining Commonwealth and State Government grant funding for important community projects in our municipality.

And deservedly so. As a diverse, outer suburban and rural municipality, we do not have the advantages of a central business district or major industry to provide the rate base to finance everything that we, as a Council, would like to do. Continue reading “Brighton’s success story in gaining grant funding”