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Federal Minister tours City of Casey

Minister McBain's visit

The City of Casey welcomed the opportunity to brief Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain, on key advocacy priorities during her visit to the city yesterday.

Ms McBain was accompanied on a tour of key locations by City of Casey Administrator Miguel Belmar, CEO Glenn Patterson, other Council leaders as well as the Federal Member for Bruce, Julian Hill MP, and Federal Member for Holt, Cassandra Fernando MP. She also had the opportunity to meet with community representatives.

Mr Patterson said Council welcomed the opportunity to showcase a number of community assets and to share with Ms McBain key advocacy priorities for which Council is seeking Federal Government support.

“With more than 5,000 new families calling Casey home every year, our growing population needs more investment than ever before,” Mr Patterson said.

“We are home to more than 390,000 residents and our population is forecast to grow to more than 550,000 by 2041, so it’s important that we work with all levels of government to ensure that we can continue to respond to the needs of our community and cater for current and future growth.”

Mr Patterson said the City of Casey would continue to advocate for critical projects and services the Casey community needs and deserves, including transformational infrastructure projects and community facility upgrades.

The advocacy priorities for which the City of Casey is seeking Federal and State government support include:

  • Thompsons Road upgrade and extension to deliver a high-capacity route from Carrum to Pakenham and unlock up to 140,000 jobs.
  • Casey Fields stage 3 (soccer precinct) which proposes a mini stadium, including rectangular pitch, floodlighting, electronic scoreboard and fencing, and mounding for spectator viewing.
  • Clyde Road Corridor Upgrade to undertake upgrades and safety improvements along the entire length of this busy and congested corridor.
  • Doveton Pool in the Park to retain and redevelop the city’s only seasonal outdoor pool and improve existing facilities.
  • Infrastructure and community facility upgrades.

Mr Patterson said Council welcomed the recently announced additional funding in Phase 4 of the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI).

“This program is a great example of local and Federal governments working together for the benefit of local communities,” Mr Patterson said.

“Previous rounds of this program have enabled Council to deliver a diverse range of projects that we may not otherwise have been able to deliver in the same timeframe. This has included everything from upgrades to recreation reserves, sporting facilities and local roads to restoration of heritage assets and construction of accessible paths and pedestrian bridges – all worthy projects that have resulted in many benefits to the community.”

Mr Patterson said Council looked forward to continuing to work with local MPs and the Federal and State governments to ensure positive outcomes for the Casey community.

“We know that investment in the City of Casey and the surrounding region will create employment and boost productivity.

“Our location in Greater South East Melbourne and our unprecedented growth presents a range of opportunities for the Federal and State governments to partner with the City of Casey and the region more broadly to unlock the economic and urban potential of what is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions.

“We will continue to advocate for what our community members have told us is important to them so that they can better connect to jobs, support and opportunities closer to home.”

 

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