By Eleanor Wilson
The City of Casey is advocating for better road and rail infrastructure in the lead up to the state and federal elections.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators, Noelene Duff said the council was seeking support and funding for a range of projects and initiatives that were based on community feedback and the council’s planning.
“As one of Australia’s fastest growing municipalities, we are home to more than 380,000 residents and this number is expected to grow to beyond 549,000 people by 2041 – which will see Casey’s population rival that of Canberra,” Ms Duff said.
“That’s why it’s so important that we continue to advocate for critical projects and services that will benefit our community now, and well into the future.”
The council is hoping to generate support for an upgrade to the Clyde Road Corridor, which is “the most dangerous and congested north-south connection in Casey”, and an upgrade and extension of Thompsons Road from Berwick – Cranbourne Road in Clyde to Kooweerup Road in Pakenham.
In 2019 the Federal Government committed $70 million for the Thompson Road Extension between Berwick-Cranbourne Road and Cardinia Road in Officer South, which was retracted and reallocated to higher priority upgrades in May 2021.
The State Government’s Major Road Projects Victoria said it has since completed preliminary planning work for the Thompsons Road Extension.
“A Business Case for the project has been submitted to the Commonwealth Government for consideration,” a Major Road Projects Victoria spokesperson said.
The government body said it has also completed planning for the Clyde Road intersections at Kangan Drive and the Princes Freeway intersections, which sits at the top of the Clyde Road Corridor.
The plans have now been referred to the Commonwealth Government for funding consideration, after they committed $250 million to the project last May.
Casey Council is also promoting requests for an extension of rail services, specifically asking for a commitment to construct the Clyde Rail Link.
The link would duplicate the metro rail extension from Cranbourne to Clyde, including new stations at Cranbourne, Cranbourne East, Casey Fields and Clyde.
The Labor Government’s 2018 State election campaign included a commitment of $7 million to complete planning for the rail link.
Last month a $750 million duplication of the Cranbourne line between Cranbourne and Dandenong was completed, which the Government said would pave the way for the Clyde link.
“The Cranbourne Line Upgrade must be completed before we can build the Clyde rail link – that’s why we’ve duplicated the line between Dandenong and Cranbourne a year ahead of schedule,” a government spokesperson said.
The council said they also want to see improved digital connectivity for businesses and residents in Casey and continued investment in local community infrastructure and youth mental health support.
