Brighton Council will scrap general rates for 12 months for first home buyers building new properties, offering financial relief worth up to $1,260 per year.
Councillors endorsed the policy at Tuesday night’s meeting, targeting residents who qualify for the state government’s First Home Builder Grant.
Mayor Leigh Gray said the initiative reinforces Brighton’s reputation as an area attractive for young home owners.
“We want Brighton to be the place where young Tasmanians can build their future,” Gray said.
“Building your first home is exciting, but it can also be financially challenging.”
“Waiving rates in the first year means one less bill to worry about while people settle into their new home.”
The council said Brighton leads Tasmania in first home ownership, recording the highest per-capita uptake of First Home Owner Grants and the youngest median age of any Tasmanian municipality.
“We have invested heavily in planning for the future, with three exciting growth precincts in Old Beach, Brighton and Bridgewater,” Gray said.
“Just yesterday, the Planning Commission approved our 400 lot master planned rezoning along Boyer Road.”
The Housing Industry Association welcomed the move, saying it would help first home buyers at a time when every dollar counts.
HIA Executive Director Tasmania Benjamin Price said the decision would mean “real money staying in their pockets when they need it most”.
“Building a new home is already a big commitment for many Tasmanians,” Price said.
“Taking rates off the table for the first year helps ease that upfront pressure.”
The HIA said their data showed home buyer lending in Tasmania jumped almost 18% in the year to September 2025, sitting nearly 20% above the decade average.
Price said land prices had more than doubled over eight years, with council rate waivers helping builders have some breathing room.
