Councillors on the lookout for tower

By Sarah Schwager
CASEY councillor Paul Richardson wants a lookout tower at Casey Fields.
The Four Oaks Ward councillor, known for his disgust at any unnecessary council spending, put forward a motion at last week’s council meeting to construct a tower to allow visitors to appreciate the entire complex from a “bird’s-eye view”.
“Since Casey Fields is going to be a grand icon for the City of Casey, we should allow people to come and see it and bring their binoculars,” Cr Richardson said.
His fellow ward councillor Rob Wilson supported the motion, saying a lookout tower at Wilson Botanic Park was a successful attraction at the park.
“At Casey Fields if you’re at the front you have no idea what is at the back and if you are at the back you have no idea what is at the front,” he said.
He suggested the tower could also be made into a sculpture design, such as a fish, football or cricket bat – some type of “giant and public art”.
However, Councillor Lorraine Wreford said the tower was not urgent or important and there were many other alternatives to installing such a structure, including private sponsorship.
“There are so many other things that we need to be putting money towards, and many dollars that need spending at Casey Fields before this,” she said.
In the end, councillors agreed to allow council officers to prepare a concept plan and preliminary costings for a lookout tower to be constructed in the Village Green area, with a report to come back to council.