As we approach the end of another busy year in the Brighton Municipality, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on some of our achievements together as a community.

This year has been marked by growth, innovation, and a deep sense of care for one another. From strategic planning to meet our population’s needs, to major upgrades across our parks and recreation spaces, it’s clear that Brighton is thriving thanks to the commitment and collaboration of our community members, residents and Council.

Some of our standout achievements this year include our asset-based community development initiatives and programs promoting inclusivity, the voices of our young people and anti-racism. This year saw the continuation of the Community Creators program in the Jordan River Learning Federation Senior School and as the year draws to a close, the very exciting news from the Tasmanian Community Fund (TCF) that Council has been successful in securing a grant to run this program across all schools in our area, funded for the next five years.

Brighton Council partnered with six other councils in the Greater Hobart region to develop and implement the ‘We Stand Together Against Racism’ (WeSTAR) campaign, which launched with the walk against racism organised by the City of Hobart on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) in March. The campaign continues to roll out in many forms to keep the message top of mind, including on the sides and backs of Metro buses across key routes in Hobart and beyond. Brighton Council has finished the year with staff and councillors participating in The Big Tassie Walk to help raise funds to support the Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania and their programs for migrants and refugees.

This year also saw major transformations across our region. The opening of the new Brighton High School is a significant step forward for education in our area, supporting young people as they grow and learn.

The new Brighton IGA and Town Square have quickly become vibrant hubs for locals to connect and shop. Infrastructure upgrades, including work on Andrew Street in Brighton and the ongoing Seymour Street and Ted Jeffries Memorial Park Master Plan, are setting the stage for an even brighter future.

With $10 million in federal funding, preparations are underway for 600 new homes in the South Brighton Development Precinct near the new high school, alongside critical infrastructure upgrades in partnership with TasWater.

Council is actively developing masterplans for Old Beach and Boyer Road in Bridgewater, ensuring that population growth and infrastructure needs are managed strategically.

Council is committed to continuing to investigate and advocate for improved access to public transport for our communities. Brighton’s communities—Bridgewater, Brighton, Gagebrook, Herdsmans Cove, Pontville, Old Beach and surrounds need simple, reliable public transport to move within the municipality and to connect to Hobart in order to ensure everyone who lives in our communities can have their basic human rights met in terms of equal access to education, health, social connections and employment.

As we look forward to the festive season, I want to thank each and every member of our Brighton community for your support, resilience, and generosity. Whether you’re spending Christmas with family, friends, or neighbours, I wish you a safe, joyful, and restful holiday period. Let’s celebrate our achievements and look ahead to a new year filled with hope and opportunity. Merry Christmas and happy New Year from all of us at Brighton Council.

Brighton Mayor Leigh Gray