Rates rise reduced

By Sarah Schwager
CASEY residents will pay 5.84 per cent more rates after the council decided to slash nearly $1 million from councillors’ wish list.
At a special council meeting on Tuesday night, the council finalised its draft budget and in a surprise move decided to reduce the rate rise from the expected six per cent increase.
This was only after six out of the 11 councillors voted to remove $1 million worth of capital works projects to the mid year review of the 2007-08 budget.
The additional projects included some of the items councillors had included at the last moment during a weekend budget meeting last month.
Projects deferred include works for the Sweeney Reserve main car park, Cranbourne Community Theatre, Doveton Library, Casey Fields Oval Two verandah, portable skateboard ramps and mosquito control.
A CFA vehicle and extra ward funds were deleted from the draft budget.
Casey mayor Colin Butler said the reduced rate rise had only come about after councillor Paul Richardson changed his vote, instead voting to remove the projects to the mid year review.
The decision followed a heated debated between councillors after the decision to approve the draft budget was adjourned until late on Tuesday night after the planning committee meeting.
Included in the draft budget is almost $58 million in capital works.
Projects include $24 million for the Cranbourne Aquatic and Leisure centre, $1.3 million for the Berwick South children’s services centre, $550,000 for Kalora Park Reserve pavilion extension, which is used by Narre Warren Football Club, $40,000 for the Commonwealth Games fish sculpture and an additional $300,000 for Casey Fields for tennis pavilion alterations and playground.
The council is to adopt the 2007-08 budget and set rates and charges on Tuesday, 10 July at a special council meeting as well as consider any submissions received.