Bridgewater Bridge can span troubled bureaucratic waters

Tony Foster says it is time to cut the red tape and build Brighton’s new bridge and school

THE adage that it is wise to under-promise and overdeliver seems forgotten by politicians at election time.

Often it seems those seeking political office will make the most extravagant promises to electors and in many instances, forget, ignore or describe them as non-core promises, then fail to deliver.

Others get caught between the responsibilities of state and Commonwealth governments and conflicts between political desires and bureaucratic reality.

This is all very well, but the promises have been made and the public wants them honoured. I am sure every Tasmanian community, most interest groups and individuals would have a story to tell. In the case of the Brighton municipality, there are two big ticket promises our community wants delivered.

I am of course referring to the new Bridgewater Bridge and the Brighton High School.

While the Tasmanian Government is progressing the high school project, the much-promised new bridge has at times appeared lost, somewhere between Hobart and Canberra bureaucracies.

While successive state and Commonwealth governments have used multiple election campaigns to promise to build the bridge, and there seem to be no disagreements between political parties, bureaucrats seem unable to provide their unwavering support. The big question is why? Pleasingly, state and Commonwealth ministers are now confirming that the replacement bridge will be completed by 2024, as part of the Hobart City Deal. Let’s hope they deliver.

Of course, our community, indeed most Tasmanians, understand the need for the new bridge and are aware of the role it plays in connecting our municipality with Hobart, and providing a transport link between the South and North.

The Commonwealth bureaucrats say the business case for the new bridge does not add up — that the benefits it will bring do not justify the cost of its construction.

I would have thought the benefits were obvious and significant. However, perhaps this is more difficult to view from the bureaucrats’ lofty Canberra offices. In true Yes Minister fashion, the public servants would appear to be describing the bridge funding as a “courageous” decision, so let’s hope our ministers are brave.

Similar to that of most people, my understanding of the way government should work is that the elected politicians make decisions and then the bureaucrats are charged with implementing those decisions. But the reality is it can be very convenient for politicians to hide behind the so-called expert advice of their bureaucrats to avoid honouring the promise that helped them get elected in the first place.

As far as the Bridgewater Bridge is concerned, the time for further delay is long past. Indicative plans have been drawn, costs estimated and even funds allocated in state and federal budgets. It seems we now have a firm timetable

for construction, so let’s get on with the job.

Turning to the promised Brighton High School, the Tasmanian Government, through the Department of Education, has completed its extensive consultation and it is now decision time.

Council accepts that determining the location of the high school is the sole responsibility of the State Government. We have attempted to assist the decision-making process where possible and our officers, particularly, have had input to the considerations.

Council’s key responsibility is to protect the interests of ratepayers and the sporting, recreational and community facilities that have been developed over the years, and that will become increasingly valuable to the health, wellbeing and enjoyment of the community as our municipality continues its impressive growth.

We certainly need the new high school to cater for this predicted growth, both in Brighton and the surrounding region, and it is important that it is developed sooner rather than later. Minister Rockliff has reconfirmed that the high school is a priority for the Government and we are confident his assurance will stand.

Like the Bridgewater Bridge, with the consultation concluded, there is no reason the State Government cannot now announce the exact location for the building of the high school and immediately start the detailed planning for construction and associated works.

Council will continue to work with the State Government on the high school development to ensure we get the best possible outcome for Brighton and that our sporting, recreational and community facilities are protected.

The message for the Commonwealth and state governments is very simple and very clear. It is now time to honour the political promises and deliver the new Bridgewater Bridge and the new Brighton High School as soon as is practically possible. Tony Foster was elected mayor of Brighton in 1993 and is Tasmania’s longest-serving mayor.