By TONY FOSTER OAM
Mayor
BRIGHTON Council is well aware of the cost of living pressures confronting our community and the difficulty many people face as a result of ever-increasing price rises and utility charges.
That is why we are determined to maintain our fair rating system that restricts annual rate rises to no greater than the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and why we continue to operate the leanest and most efficient council administration in Tasmania. …more
By TONY FOSTER
At this time of writing, April 2011 seems a long time ago. We had been advised by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen that he was going to develop a temporary detention centre on Defence Department property at the rifle range in Pontville.
The centre to house asylum seekers was to be open for six months. That six months ends at the end of February 2012. The Minister has met his commitment and the centre will close . …more
By TONY FOSTER
AS we come to the end of another year it is good to reflect on the past 12 months and the achievements Brighton has made.
The local government elections are over and we have an energetic and stable Council ready to take our municipality into the future. …more
By TONY FOSTER
FIRSTLY may I say thank you to the community of Brighton for giving me the opportunity to again serve you as Mayor of our municipality. After many years as leader of our council and working with such a brilliant and dedicated staff, it is still very humbling to receive your endorsement to continue in the role of Mayor. …more
By TONY FOSTER
IT was Sunday September 4 and we were driving back from Galle to Colombo in Sri Lanka and our son Stephen said to me “Dad I have to go up to Kandy on Tuesday would you like to come with me?”
I said: “Steve I have been to Kandy twice before and I really do not like that drive up there.” Four hours to travel 106 kilometres does not do a lot for me and you are going up and back in the one day, that means eight hours on the road.
The Australian team, with students and members of the excited local community that watched the memorable day unfold.
By TONY FOSTER
WITH a number a major developments in Brighton underway and pending, it is timely that we also review where we are now and what we have achieved.
The Brighton Bypass, the revolutionary Jordon River Learning Federation, the transport hub, the Brighton industrial estate, the growth of our technology business Microwise, the walking and bike trails and other community amenities that have been developed in recent years, are all developments of which I am extremely proud. …more
By TONY FOSTER
I AM delighted to once again, highlight that Brighton Council’s strong financial management has ensured our municipality has enjoyed the lowest rate increase of all councils in Tasmania.
As you would know we announced an increase this financial year, of just over $20 for each residential property in line with the Hobart Consumer Price Index but lower than the national rate of inflation. …more
By TONY FOSTER
IT has certainly been an interesting past few weeks for our community with a number of positive issues that I can happily report on.
The first of course is the fact that once again Brighton is leading other municipalities in its rates increases by keeping the increase to just over $20 for each residential property in line with the Hobart Consumer Price Index. When you compare us with other councils, particularly in the south, where some councils are increasing rates by three times our 2.9 per cent, the rate increases we announced yet again prove the value and benefit of our successful flat rating system for ratepayers and our community. …more
By MAYOR TONY FOSTER AOM
I AM pleased to report that as a result of our efficient management and prudent budgeting, Brighton Council has been able to maintain its commitment to keep annual rate increases at or below the rate of inflation for the forthcoming year.
The annual rate increase of 2.9 per cent across all categories - residential, rural and commercial - was approved in principle (or agreed) at our May Council meeting and is in line with the rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Hobart region. It is lower than the national CPI increase for the past year of 3.3 per cent. …more
By MAYOR TONY FOSTER AOM
BRIGHTON is Tasmania’s fastest growing municipality. The past 10 years have seen the municipality’s population expand significantly and now more than 16,000 people call the suburbs nestled on the banks of the Derwent and Jordan Rivers and nearby rural areas home.
So what will Brighton look like in 2040?
…more