Links continue thanks to funds

By Kelly Yates
CASEY has received more than $150, 000 from the State Government to extend community links in coastal towns.
The money enables the continuation for another two years of the Communities Coming Together Community Building program (CCCTCB).
The municipality’s coastal towns are Blind Bight, Cannons Creek, Cranbourne South, Devon Meadows, Pearcedale, Tooradin, and Warneet. Neighbouring towns further inland have also benefited from the funds.
Current projects include a foreshore committee of management in Blind Bight, community noticeboards in Pearcedale and Cranbourne South, and the establishment of the Pearcedale Farmers Market.
The new money will assist with operational costs, community learning programs, and the community action plan, until March 2010.
Council received 30 letters of support from community groups backing the application for extended funding.
More than 60 residents attended a workshop in March 2007.
City of Casey community development manager Janette Green praised the support for the project. Community participation was one of the major factors in obtaining funding, she said.
Three project teams and a local committee oversee the project.
The two-year funding extension would help support the groups involved, Ms Green said.
The program started in 2006 to strengthen small Victorian communities by creating partnerships between the State Government, local government and the community, using Department of Planning and Community Development funds.
Casey mayor Janet Halsall said the City of Casey valued the smaller communities and it is therefore pleasing to see the financial support continue following the strong success of the program.