Tony Foster | Government official

Tony Foster

Phone: 0419357927

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25.01.2022 TODAY I welcomed the State Budget which contained important funding for two projects of vital significance to our Brighton Municipality the new Brighton High School and the replacement Bridgewater Bridge. Along with successive Brighton councillors and our Council officers, I have worked long and hard to bring these two major projects to fruition and it is heartening to see the funds outlined in the budget for both initiatives to become a reality. Some $40 million is provide...d in the current and forward estimates up to 2023/24 for the construction of the new high school, with the total cost now listed at $50 million. As well, $4.22 million is allocated for the redevelopment of the Jordan River Learning Federation School Farm at Brighton in the budget for this financial year. Funding of more than half a billion dollars is provided for the construction of the replacement Bridgewater Bridge over the next four years. These major public infrastructure projects will bring valuable economic and employment opportunities to our municipality over the coming years and the State Government, as well as the Commonwealth for its contribution to the Bridgewater Bridge funding, must be commended for honouring the commitments made over recent years. I must particularly commend Deputy Premier and Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff for his effort in securing the Brighton High School and the School Farm funding. Both the new high school and the Bridgewater Bridge will support our municipality’s growth and development that sees Brighton as one of the fastest growing regions in the State. These major capital works follows Council’s biggest ever works’ program announced at the beginning of the financial year ago and will ensure we continue the progress that we have strived to achieve over the past two decades and more.

25.01.2022 Barbara Curran has recently set up an official Deputy Mayor Facebook site. I would appreciate it if you could share the site to Brighton Municipality residents, your friends, and to supporters of what our Council is doing for our community and for our region. Barbara's official site is here. https://www.facebook.com/DeputyMayorCurran/

23.01.2022 Dear Residents, As you would perhaps now know Premier Peter Gutwein has further eased restrictions for Tasmanian residents to help with their day-to-day living and working. He has also just announced that the State’s borders will re-open on July 24, based on public health advice. Premier Gutwein said there needed to be adequate time between the easing of further restrictions which come into force today and the opening of our borders. Tasmania will review Victoria’s status in ...two weeks’ time. Today’s easing of restrictions includes gatherings increasing to a maximum of 500 outdoors and 250 for undivided indoor space. The maximum density limit moves to one person every two square metres (rather than the previous four square metre rule) for restaurants and depending on the size of those venues. The State Government and health authorities have also eased restrictions for gatherings in public spaces such as pools, stadiums, competition sports, markets and food vans as well as night clubs. People must be seated at nightclubs and the 1.5 metre physical distancing rule must still apply. Visitors to households remains at 20. As always, we should all be conscious of each other’s safety and not be complacent that because our State has been in containment now for some period of time, we don’t risk changing that status by inconsiderate behaviour and by any flouting of rules. On behalf of Council I am very proud of our community and the way we have handled the incredibly difficult times for us all. But we must remain vigilant and determined so that we do not have to face an outbreak and reapplied restrictions further down the track. Again I want to praise those many people and community groups who have banded together in our municipality to help those who are less fortunate and who have been vulnerable throughout this time. Our community centres and our Waterbridge Pantry have done some amazing work throughout the pandemic and I want to single them out for their community spirit and compassion. And it’s great to see the Bridgewater Library now open for people to come in and browse and borrow books again. At the same time, I also want to thank the businesses in our community who have had to significantly change the way they do business to remain open and to keep our people employed. You have done a sterling job in adapting to such a changing environment and Council can’t thank you enough for making sure you still service the community but in such a vastly different way. We can’t be complacent and while we are fortunate that we have managed to contain the virus to date, there is still a long way to go. We only need to look around us both domestically and internationally to see how quickly outbreaks can recur and it is incumbent on us all that we maintain the status quo as much as possible. To all of our community, I thank you. Have a great weekend. Enjoy your family, stay safe, stay healthy and stay connected with what is happening. Regards, Tony.

22.01.2022 I am pleased to announce, on behalf of Brighton Council, the appointment of James Dryburgh as our Council's new general manager. James, who is currently Council’s chief operations officer, takes up his appointment on July 1, replacing Ron Sanderson who is retiring after 27 years at Brighton, the past 15 as general manager. I congratulate James on his appointment and at the same time, commend Ron for his outstanding service to the Brighton community. James Dryburgh will bring ...Continue reading

21.01.2022 My latest mayoral column for our community. Our municipality is recognised as one of the most progressive in Tasmania and Council is proud of 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. My column is about how our actions now will pay off in the future. https://brightoncommunitynews.com.au/how-our-actions-now//

21.01.2022 BRIGHTON Council wants to hear what you want for our region. This is your opportunity to have a direct say about the things that matter to you and to be part of our Municipality’s 2050 Vision. On behalf of Council I urge you to fill in our survey now. Remember, to Have Your Say https://brightoncommunitynews.com.au/have-your-say-on-s//

19.01.2022 My Mayor's message to our municipality this week: THIS past week, I joined Tasmanian Senator Claire Chandler, Councillors and officials to mark the commencement of work on the new Brighton Regional Sports Centre at Pontville. This project is vital for our growing community and will provide valuable sporting and recreational facilities for our community and visitors to Brighton.... The Federal Government is contributing some $6 million to the development that will include a gymnasium, club rooms, meeting rooms, male and female change rooms, function space, dining, and commercial kitchen. It marks the realisation of a project that has been planned by the Brighton Council for many years and will provide modern and upgraded facilities for the Brighton cricket and football clubs as well as for other users. Council has already undertaken oval improvements and the installation of turf cricket practice wickets as part of the Centre’s development as a high-standard regional hub for sport and recreation. The Brighton Regional Sports Centre is just one of several important projects that are being progressed in our municipality. With the planned Brighton High School, the replacement Bridgewater Bridge and Council’s own record capital works program, the coming 12 months will herald significant development activity. This should provide for considerable optimism and despite the impact of COVID-19 restrictions, Brighton will continue to move forward, providing opportunities, support and facilities for our community. Unfortunately, as evidenced in Victoria and elsewhere, the virus still exists and despite our relative success in combatting it in Tasmania, we must remain vigilant. We are living in one of the safest places in the world, but we cannot let down our collective guard. So, I again urge everyone to heed the advice of the authorities and above all, stay safe.

18.01.2022 ALL councils are facing challenges as a result of COVID-19 and diminishing revenues. Below is the link to my column in the November edition of Brighton Community News which re-states our Council's an ongoing commitment to offer the lowest rates as well as the full range of services and facilities for our community. Later this year, I will be sitting down with our Council General Manager and Deputy General Manager to examine exactly where we are at financially to ensure that ...we are in a position in April to form a budget for 2021 - 2022 that is in line with our current policy. Yes, we may have to change some approaches, but despite at times difficult circumstances, Brighton’s ratepayers can be assured they will continue to benefit from the full range of services at the lowest possible costs. Please take the time to read my column. https://brightoncommunitynews.com.au/lowest-rates-remain//

17.01.2022 THE new workplace development coordinator role established by the South central sub-region group of councils consisting of Brighton, Derwent Valley, Southern Midlands and Central Highlands Councils is an important initiative to match job seekers in our regions with employers while at the same time ensuring the training jobseekers are getting matches the expectations of our regional employers. Congratulations to Anthony McConnon who has been appointed to the position and also congratulations to the chair of the South Central sub-region group James Dryburgh who is also Brighton Council's general manager for being an important driver of this initiative.

17.01.2022 MY mayoral message to our community for 2021. My fervent wish is we all move forward with hope. After the challenges 2020 presented us as a community and as a region, I am confident we can look optimistically at the opportunities the New Year will bring us all.

17.01.2022 MY CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO OUR BRIGHTON COMMUNITY I WANT to take this opportunity to wish everyone in the Brighton community and all of those people who have supported us and continue to support our community, a very merry and safe Christmas and all the best for the coming year. This festive season may be very different than in the past, coming at the end of a most challenging and at times confronting year. But fortunately, in Tasmania, we do have the opportunity to come togethe...r with family and friends to relax and celebrate. But what is now happening in Sydney, and elsewhere around the world provides a stark reminder that the danger of COVID-19 has not passed. We need to remain vigilant and heed the advice of the health specialists and our government authorities. Brighton Municipality and Tasmania as a state have done very well. We have come through an unprecedented crisis, so let’s not go back there. As we take time to celebrate this Christmas, let us also think of those who have suffered and are still suffering, those who may be less fortunate and may not even have the wherewithal to celebrate, those of us who are separated from families and most importantly, those who are still working to take care of us during this traditional holiday time, particularly our frontline emergency personnel, police, ambulance, doctors and nurses in hospitals and other essential workers. But above all, please take time to relax and enjoy some important family time, stay safe at home, and on the roads, continue to observe the COVID protocols set down by our health authorities, don’t become complacent, and look forward to better times to come in the year ahead. Noeline and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. Tony Foster AM OAM JP Mayor

16.01.2022 My mayoral message to our community: THE latest details coming out of Victoria and to a lesser extent from New South Wales and Queensland on the spread of the coronavirus are worrying. As Premier Gutwein has said, Tasmania is one of the safest places to live in the world at the moment and we want to keep it that way. But what is happening across Bass Strait is a clear warning that the danger is still out there and that we must remain vigilant and continue to take precautions.... That is why the border restrictions have been tightened further and testing for the virus stepped up in our state. Tasmanians have done a great job in curbing the outbreak and preventing its reintroduction here and I am particularly proud of how the Brighton Municipality and our community have responded. Certainly, COVID-19 has had an impact with business and people’s employment affected, children forced to home school, restrictions on movement, sport and entertainment curtailed, and much more. While things have now eased somewhat, unfortunately, it could easily break out again and we must guard against that. This is why I ask you to continue to observe the advice of the State and Commonwealth Governments and health authorities. It is often said, but it is true, that we are all in this together and just one infection can spread to a group and through a community. But Tasmania has shown that we can come out of this and hopefully we will soon see some relief in Victoria and elsewhere so that life in Australia can return to some sense of normality. In the meantime, Brighton Council is continuing to provide all the support we can to our local community. As you would be aware, we are embarking on a record capital works program this year that will not only provide improved services and facilities for the community but will also create important local economic activity. Council has also held down rates with a zero increase this year and we’ve also provided special relief assistance and other support to assist the community. We’ve also had the recent news of progress on the replacement Bridgewater Bridge, the new Brighton High School and planned works at the Farm School, so good things are happening. We are a strong and resourceful community and we will recover from the COVID-19 set-back. Indeed, this is already happening in Tasmania. Again, I urge everyone to heed the advice of the authorities and above all, stay safe.

14.01.2022 ON behalf of Brighton Council I am pleased to report that last night your Council approved the municipality's budget for the next financial year and confirmed rates will be held at this year’s level. In view of the impact of the COVID-19 emergency, Council is determined there will be no increase in the general rate for all ratepayers in the municipality. The approved budget also provides for record capital works spending of $12.5 million in 2020 2021.... We are seeking to do all we can to stimulate the local economy and provide enhanced services for our community. This includes major works such as the Gunn Oval changerooms, the Pontville Park pavilion development, stage two of the Bridgewater Parkland, a new off-lead dog area for Seymour Street in Brighton and improvements to the Old Beach off-lead dog area. Road works scheduled for completion include significant upgrades to Green Point Road, Baskerville Road, Jetty Road, Augustus Street and Andrew Street. Council will also seek to extend the roadside tree planting program which is enhancing our streetscapes and proving very popular with residents. Brighton Council appreciates the prevailing special circumstances and that ratepayers are dealing with the economic impact of the coronavirus and recovery may be difficult for many. We trust that by holding down rates and the record capital works program, we are playing a positive role supporting the recovery and our community. Despite the difficult circumstances, Brighton’s ratepayers continue to benefit from the full range of services at the lowest possible cost and we are determined to maintain this approach in the current environment and into the future.

13.01.2022 I congratulate our Brighton Council officers who have worked hard to have an electric car charging station, the first in our municipality, installed in the Council's car park. The charging point was made possible through a grant from the Tasmanian Government's Electric Vehicle ChargeSmart Destination Charging Program. Use of the charger is free for our residents and is available during business hours.

12.01.2022 My mayoral column in the October edition of Brighton Community News focuses on the new appointment by our four sub region councils - Brighton, Central Highlands, Derwent Valley and Southern Midlands - of a workplace development coordinator to boost jobs and business across our region. This is one of the most ambitious projects we’ve undertaken and one that is crucially important for Brighton and our three partner councils. My column is here: https://brightoncommunitynews.com.au/unique-project-to-b//

12.01.2022 IN this month's Brighton Community News, my Mayor's column focuses on the progress of the Brighton Regional Sports Centre due to be completed in May this year. The Centre's construction means that as a Municipality and as a region, we will be able to boast the highest standards of sport and recreation facilities that will not only meet the needs of our community now, but well into the future. https://brightoncommunitynews.com.au/sports-centre-to-cr//

11.01.2022 Major developments a boost for Brighton municipality. My mayoral column in the August edition of Brighton Community News. These are exciting times for our progressive and fast-growing community and I am pleased to be able to report them in our newspaper. http://brightoncommunitynews.com.au/major-developments-a//

11.01.2022 My column in this month's Brighton Community News focuses on the importance of education in our Municipality and the new Brighton High School which will add to the future educational opportunities for our families. As you know I have long believed education is a key to the growth and development of our community and the new high school is necessary to support our current and increasing population. You can read my column here: https://brightoncommunitynews.com.au/high-school-vision-//

11.01.2022 THIS is a wonderful initiative by one of our largest industries in Tasmania to support our local school students. It is also wonderful to see a former student of Jordan River Learning Federation, Dr Emma Eaton, who is now a research scientist with Nyrstar. Dr Eaton with some of her other colleagues from Nyrstar spent some time at JRLF in the lab recently with students. Again a wonderful initiative that hopefully will lead to more collaboration between the school and industry. The full story of the donation by Nyrstar and the school visit is here: https://brightoncommunitynews.com.au/industry-turns-expe//

09.01.2022 TODAY, on behalf of Brighton Council and our community, I have welcomed the appointment of a consortium of architects to design the new Brighton High School, announced by Education and Training Minister, Jeremy Rockliff. The appointment of Jaws Architects and Heffernan Button Voss Architects represents an important milestone in progressing the high school development towards its first student intake in 2025. I have long believed education is a key to the growth and developme...nt of our community and the new high school is necessary to support our current and increasing population. Minister Rockliff’s announcement of the appointment of architects provides important certainty for the community. Our population is relatively young and with hundreds of children travelling from Brighton for their education every school day, there is a growing need for the new high school here. State Treasury has forecast Brighton will be Tasmania’s fastest growing municipality over the next two and a half decades, with the population predicted to rise to more than 24,000 by 2045. It is vital the appropriate services and facilities are provided to cater for this population growth and the provision of education opportunities is vitally important in any healthy and growing community. Brighton Council worked for many years to secure the high school development to cater for the significant growth in the municipality, and the surrounding region and the architects’ appointment brings this yet another step closer. It is in line with a key focus of our recently adopted 2050 Vision of ‘ensuring quality education and training to meet the needs of everyone’. The High School project is consistent with Brighton Council’s strategic planning for the growth and development of the municipality now and into the future. When construction starts, it will significantly stimulate local employment. The project will also unlock the co-ordinated development of Brighton’s southern precinct as a new gateway to the town. Council looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the State Government to ensure the best, long-term provision of educational outcomes for the community. I commend Minister Rockliff for his support and the State Government for its commitment to this important project, honouring the promise made prior to the 2018 State Election.

09.01.2022 On behalf of Brighton Council and our Municipality I would like to extend our most sincere condolences to long-serving Brighton Councillor Wayne Garlick and his family on the very sad passing of his wife, Lyn Garlick. Lyn, a mother and grandmother, has been a stalwart in our community who was involved with many community events and in a number of community organisations, even during times when her health has not been the best. Lyn was also a very strong supporter of Wayne and was by his side advocating with him in his work on behalf of our community. We are all thinking of you, Wayne, and your whole family at this very, very sad time. Kindest regards, Tony and Noeline Foster.

08.01.2022 My message to Brighton Municipality residents. Please stay safe as you prepare for the festive season:

07.01.2022 Below is my monthly Mayoral column and this month I am focusing on traffic which is not just impacting the cities but also our rapidly growing regions: ____________ THE traffic issues confronting the greater Hobart region have been in the news in recent times and it seems the situation is rapidly getting worse, not better....Continue reading

07.01.2022 MY latest mayoral message about the important and vital contribution volunteers play in our community. This follows the recognition our Council has given in our recent Australia Day awards presented at the Brighton Civic Centre.

07.01.2022 THIS is important information for our municipality's small businesses.

06.01.2022 On behalf of Brighton Council, I was delighted to welcome the Tasmanian Government’s Bridgewater Bridge update today when it released the design requirements for the project. Those requirements are here: https://www.transport.tas.gov.au//south_/bridgewaterbridge The government also confirmed the Bridgewater Bridge can be built for the $576 million budget. You can read my comments here:... https://www.brighton.tas.gov.au//Brighton-welcomes-bridge-

06.01.2022 Thank you Mark Bartlett and Angela Knight from the Bridgewater / Gagebrook Clean Up Group for your hard work in the community. You should be proud of your efforts on behalf of our entire community. Waste disposal is a huge challenge for all Tasmanian municipalities and their councils. It is a major priority for Brighton Council as we develop and implement our waste strategies with the challenges that are presented by the ever-increasing costs of disposal. Thank you again for what you are doing particularly in trying to encourage others to follow your example.

05.01.2022 Brighton Council has officially farewelled our long-serving General Manager, Ron Sanderson, tonight as this was his last Council meeting prior to his retirement at the end of this month. Ron has been a tireless worker for our Municipality and has been a loyal and faithful servant of our community making him one of the longest serving general managers in Tasmania’s local government sector. On behalf of elected councillors and council officers I wished Ron our very best for ...his retirement. We also send our very best wishes and kind regards to Ron’s wife, Maureen, who has been by his side throughout Ron’s professional career. An official farewell, on behalf of the community, will be organised for Ron at a later date. This is my tribute to Ron in this month’s edition of Brighton Community News: http://brightoncommunitynews.com.au/mayors-tribute-to-su//

04.01.2022 Brighton Council officers are working hard to plan for our municipality's future. I thank them all, under the leadership of our General Manager James Dryburgh, for their dedication to develop a comprehensive plan and a vision for 2050. Thank you also to our local community leaders, businesses, and importantly, our residents as well as others who have a commitment to Brighton Municipality through the work they do for and within our community who collectively took the time to ...be part of the extensive consultation process. Everyone who has participated in the consultation is providing important input into what they want to see for the future of our Municipality and our region and how we can enhance the environment in which we live and work. How our community develops and progresses is in our own hands and on behalf of Council, I thank you all for your focus and enthusiasm to positively contribute to that end.

03.01.2022 The Tasmanian Government's new Bridgewater Bridge Project is now at broad community consultation phase and this will continue until Friday, November 13. Comments and feedback during this phase will be given to the two shortlisted tenderers as they develop more detailed designs to be submitted to the Government as part of the tenders. I urge all those in our community who are interested, to attend some special information sessions which will be held on:... Wednesday, October 28 at the Brighton Civic Centre, 25 Green Point Road, Bridgewater. Session 1: 10am to 1pm Session 2: 4pm - 7pm Wednesday, October 28 at the Brighton Civic Centre, To view the reference design, or to register to attend a session, go to www.transport.tas.gov.au/newbridgewaterbridge or call 1800 517 290. It's important you have your say as this is the largest infrastructure project for our region for some considerable time.

02.01.2022 BRIGHTON Council has installed the Municipality's first Electric Vehicle charger, located in the Chambers' carpark. The charger was funded by a grant under the Tasmanian Government’s Electric Vehicle ChargeSmart Destination Charging Program. Its installation specifically addresses the Council's Climate Change and Resilience Strategy adopted last year. The charger is free to use during business hours so next time you visit Council in Tivoli Road you can check it out. https://brightoncommunitynews.com.au/councils-station-le//

02.01.2022 This week as Mayor, I was delighted to officially represent Brighton Council and welcome and invite Senator Claire Chandler to turn the first sod for the redevelopment of the Brighton Regional Sports Centre which will get underway this month creating a new and improved sporting facility at Pontville. I was joined by fellow councillors, Tennille Murtagh, Phil Owen, and Jessica Whelan. Brighton Council's Anna Wilson who is the project manager on behalf of Council was also on hand. The Federal Government has contributed $6 million for this important community project, which will revitalise the precinct and modernise facilities. We welcome this grant which will see the redevelopment providing modern, upgraded facilities for the Brighton Football and Cricket Clubs, and the wider community.

01.01.2022 MY column in this month's Brighton Community News focuses on the New Year ahead and the challenges and opportunities for the future of our Municipality, in particular Brighton's 2050 Vision which was announced today. Please take time to read my column here: https://brightoncommunitynews.com.au/optimism-for-bright//