2023/24 – The Year Ahead for Brighton Council

Despite this minimal increase in rates, we have been able to deliver a budget that will continue to see many projects and initiatives undertaken to meet the needs of our growing population and maintain our assets.

Council’s Annual Plan for 2023-2024, developed in line with our 2050 Vision, is now endorsed by Council and available for your review on Council’s website. I would like to share for your information here, just a few of the key projects that will be undertaken this financial year.

Ted Jeffries Memorial Park Masterplan, Brighton

Works to establish a quality recreation and sporting precinct across Ted Jeffries Memorial Park will continue, in keeping with Council’s commitment to plan for and provide infrastructure to support our rapidly growing community. This includes construction of carparks and bus stops to make our community safer, together with soccer grounds, clubroom, changerooms and a long-awaited dog park.

Brighton Town Square Council will complete planning and design for a town square in Brighton and commence construction.

Cris Fitzpatrick Park, Gagebrook

Commence Stage 1 of the Cris Fitzpatrick Park master plan. This project will see a new playground constructed in the park as well as significant upgrades to the connecting pathways between Bridgewater and Gagebrook.

Swan Park, Herdsmans Cove

Based on the consultation that was undertaken with the local community last year, commence construction to complete the upgrades of the park.

Climate Resilience

Council will investigate coastal hazard impacts and building resilience through the Brighton Derwent River Foreshore Coastal Hazards Project.

There will be the ongoing implementation of our Weed Management Strategy, Natural Resource Management Strategy and Foreshore Management Plan.

Road Infrastructure

This financial year will see the:

• Reconstruction of some sections of Andrew Street, Scott Road, Elderslie Road and Myna Park Road.

• Resealing sections of Childs Drive, Landermere Drive, Harvest Lane and Mollineaux Drive.

Welcome additions to Bridgewater Parklands

Brand new toilet facilities at the Bridgewater Parkland in Eddington Street were recently completed as part of the Bridgewater Parkland Master Plan for the area. Alongside the new public loos, there are also new BBQ shelters, picnic tables, a water fountain and bike stands for the community to enjoy. Brighton Council engaged Hobart-based, landscape architect studio, Playstreet, to design and develop Bridgewater Parkland. The parkland has been welcomed by the community and is even now featured on the Heart Foundation’s Health Active by Design website as a “valuable area of public open space”. The official opening of this stage two of Bridgewater Parkland is scheduled for August. All of the local community and users will be invited along for a celebration at the park.

• Sealing parts of Millvale Drive and Rifle Range Road.

• Formalisation of the overland flow path from Andrew Street to Jordan River to improve stormwater and reduce flooding risk in the area.

We continue to work in line with our Council-endorsed 10-year Asset Management Plan and 10-year Financial Management Plan, both approved in July 2021 and due for review later this year.

Social Infrastructure Development

• Council will prioritise and implement recommendations from Council’s Social Infrastructure Plan.

• Continue to advocate for improved public transport access, including ferry infrastructure and services.

• Continue to advocate for the significant freight route between Brighton and Cambridge to be taken over as a State Road and upgraded accordingly.

• We will advocate for Pontville Park to be considered as a high-performance facility for a Tasmanian AFL team.

Community Development

Our commitment to engaging with and enabling our community will continue in earnest.

Council is all too aware of the social challenges facing our community and the importance of supporting our incredible volunteers who are filling the gaps in regard to issues facing young people, food security and health services.

We have committed to reviewing and optimising Council property and assets for community benefit. Council will continue to support the Brighton Alive and Brighton Alive Youth Network, the Brighton Youth Action Group (BYAG) and Brighton Food Hub as invaluable services and networks in keeping our community connected and able to not just survive but thrive.

Our budget is one that reflects we are a place and community that continues to plan for the future. We understand that our communities are experiencing more challenges than ever before but please rest assured, Council will continue to listen, learn and work with our community to try and overcome these challenges. More than ever, we believe in the strength of our community.

Play Cricket This Summer

Have the Ashes got you inspired to play cricket?

Brighton District Cricket Club invites anyone interested in playing cricket to join pre-season training. Training commences in August and games start in October. The club welcomes people of all ages to get involved, whether that’s picking up a bat and playing, joining the committee, or volunteering a bit of time to assist with events, training and game days. The club is based at Ferguson Oval in Pontville and is a very inclusive and welcoming club - a large number of members come from diverse backgrounds and cultures. For more information about joining or the upcoming preseason dates, head to www. facebook.com/brightondistrictcricketclub.