By TONY FOSTER
Mayor of Brighton
WHILE we have seen many changes in the Brighton municipality over the past 10 -15 years or so, it is probably fair to say that none will affect our region as much as the new Brighton Bypass.
We have been talking about this major piece of infrastructure for our municipality for almost 30 years, and now that it is on the verge of completion, it is important to outline the major reasons why we have fought long and hard for the bypass to become reality. …more
By TONY FOSTER
Mayor of Brighton
MANY of you will remember that four years ago, Brighton developed a comprehensive Strategic Plan that mapped out the future development of our community taking us through to 2040. …more
By TONY FOSTER
Mayor of Brighton
THE past decade has seen considerable community activity and development in Bridgewater and Gagebrook and with the current growth and exciting development planned for the future, it is important that we do not lose the impetus that has been built up.
We must build on the accomplishments achieved under the leadership of Kris Fitzpatrick and more recently, through our community liaison officer John Klug. This work has provided an excellent conduit between the community and Council and has established a solid foundation for future community activity and progress. …more
Tony Foster, Mayor of Brighton
THE decision by the Tasmanian Government to release a management plan for the important Aboriginal heritage areas near the new Brighton Bypass is fantastic news for our municipality (see story on the Home Page).
The Bypass construction was halted earlier this year when significant and historical remains were located near the route of the Bypass. Since that time consultation has taken place with all parties to determine an outcome that would see the completion of the Bypass while at the same time, ensure that this area of cultural and historical significance remains undisturbed. …more
By TONY FOSTER
Mayor of Brighton
RECOGNITION of Brighton Council’s resource-sharing initiatives by the Local Government Association in the recent awards for excellence demonstrate how our Council continues to lead the way.
It was pleasing to see the recognition given to Brighton’s unique business model of resource sharing built around our talented staff, which is providing significant economies of scale for other councils while at the same time benefiting Brighton ratepayers through increased revenue.
This outstanding common service provision model allows us to share our staff and resources with other councils both in Tasmania and more recently in its partnerships with interstate councils and with Suva in Fiji where we have established a sister city partnership.
Our model enables us to manage our resources in a way that not only provides assistance to other councils, but also brings in revenue for the benefit of Brighton’s ratepayers. The Brighton community benefits through enhanced services and minimal rates increases.
It is an example of how entrepreneurship and resource sharing can help local government achieve sustainability in the long-term. In addition to outsourcing resources in Tasmania, through our wholly owned business Microwise Australia Pty Ltd, we have also developed operational software that is now used by nine Tasmanian councils, three councils in Western Australia, two in New South Wales and the Suva City Council in Fiji.
Indeed, the establishment of sister city links between Brighton is the culmination of the strong business links we have established over the past few years and I am confident it will generate real business and significant benefits for our ratepayers and community.
But it is all built on Brighton’s innovative approach to resource-sharing and the provision of professional and technology services to other councils.
Recent years have seen a dramatic change in emphasis on how local government services are delivered. While communities demand increased and improved services and service delivery, there is an ever-increasing requirement for cost competitiveness and efficiency. With this in mind, it is vital that local government thinks smarter and is better at its business.
Pressures on local government in service delivery, increasing regulatory roles and the challenges of obtaining and maintaining high quality staff, ensure that councils must work together to draw on their collective knowledge and skills. Regional and rural councils in particular have quite distinct challenges and operational issues compared to metropolitan councils. This has reinforced the importance of working with and engaging staff and organisations that truly understand the collective core business of local government.
This is where Brighton comes into its own.
We provide a range of important and vital ongoing services to other councils, ranging from the provision of senior management personnel, engineering and technical services and other advice and support, to unique information technology and software development and implementation that facilitates the business of local government.
Brighton has been able to successfully transfer into a range of local government environments in Tasmania, Australia and internationally because our people know the business from the inside.
The benefits for Council and ratepayers include the further development of our talented staff, the efficiencies and economies of scale we achieve, as well as the income Brighton earns that helps fund services for the community and keep rate rises at a minimum.
By TONY FOSTER
Mayor of Brighton
YET further signs of how the major projects in our community are now coming to fruition was the recent launch of the largest housing development for Brighton in the past 30 years (see story on our home page).
While the numbers of homes and the ability to encourage more people, particularly young families to remain in our wonderful municipality is welcome, the other exciting and very important aspect of the development will be the provision of more public open space for the whole community. …more
By TONY FOSTER
Mayor of Brighton
WHILE I have seen some of you in past months, this is the first time that I can formally wish you all a Happy New Year. As we start 2010, I thought I would update you on our continuing work in developing Brighton’s business expertise that is providing great benefits for our community.
By TONY FOSTER
Mayor of Brighton
AS we head towards the Christmas season and the summer holidays, it is so exciting to see how our community is really humming.
I have noticed, particularly in recent months, how the major projects that are progressing within the community are having such a positive effect on daily business and community life.
By TONY FOSTER
Mayor of Brighton
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 team 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.
While elections can be a busy time for everyone involved it does give us the time to reflect on some of the major achievements within our municipality and I am proud to have been a leader throughout the culmination of these achievements. …more
By TONY FOSTER*
YOU would be aware of the discussion surrounding our much-awaited Brighton bypass. In the past couple of weeks the legal manager of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre Michael Mansell has called for all work to be halted claiming the site could have the largest deposit of Aboriginal artefacts in the State.
He said reports show the area is ‘full of Aboriginal artefacts and was probably one of the most extensive in the State’. He has now suggested that the bypass be stopped and rerouted, even claiming that the existing road could be widened to accommodate the community’s need.