Mayor backs budget, now it’s your turn

CASEY mayor Colin Butler has applauded the city’s 2007-08 budget and highlighted several key outcomes for local residents.
Cr Butler said the $191.87 million draft budget will be on public display until 28 June with residents encouraged to submit their thoughts on how the money is going to be spent.
A 5.84 per cent rate rise has been announced as part of the draft.
Residents can view a copy of the draft at Casey customer service centres at Narre Warren, Narre Warren South and Cranbourne.
“There are a number of exciting projects included in the draft budget that will continue to provide first-rate services and facilities in areas such as recreation and leisure, the arts, community safety, community development, strategic planning,” Cr Butler said.
Infrastructure projects around town have been allocated just under $57 million, with $134 million allocated for service delivery.
Highlights include:
• $23.7 million to start construction of the Cranbourne Aquatic and Leisure Centre (CALC). At a total cost of $37 million over two years, the CALC is the single biggest investment and one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken, Casey officials say;
• $5.4 million for road rehabilitation projects on 24 roads in Berwick, Doveton, Hallam and Narre Warren, with a total length of 6.3 kilometres;
• $2.77 million for the construction of unsealed roads in Devon Road ($870,000), and Browns Road (Pearcedale Rd to Westernport Highway) ($1.9million);
• $1.3 million to build the Berwick South (Bridgewater Boulevard) Children’s Services Centre, comprising a double-unit kindergarten, Maternal and Child Health facility and community room;
• $1.226 million for the upgrade of Soldiers Road ($137,000), A’Beckett Road ($994,000), and bridge design on Centre Road ($95,000);
• $1 million for road resealing of 30 roads in Hampton Park, Narre Warren and Pearcedale, with a total length of 10.3 kilometres;
• $900,000 for Recreation Reserves Community Facilities Minor Capital Works will allow almost 100 projects to be carried out at more than 60 facilities;
• $893,000 Narre Warren North Reserve Double Pavilion Stage 2 development, plus $500,000 for second oval, access road and car park;
• $250,000 for Stage 1 of the Casey Fields Regional Playground, plus an additional $80,000 for a toilet facility;
• $300,000 for Greyspot Management on Vesper Drive, Ernst Wanke, Evans, Lynes, Centre, Tooradin Station, Hardys, Albert, and Grices Roads;
• $200,000 for the Buchanan Park district level skate park;
• $110,000 for “The Shed” indoor skate regional facility in Cranbourne;
• $200,000 for tree planting, bitumen works, linking paths, improved fencing, screen planting and BMX track at the KM Reedy Reserve;
• $400,000 for recreation path development across the municipality;
• $700,000 for the construction of a pavilion at Berwick Springs Park;
• $99,500 for the development of a gridiron field at Sydney Pargeter Reserve;
• $217,000 for construction of a number of projects at Frog Hollow Reserve;
• $150,000 for a traffic study and parking plan, as well as the commencement of street scaping improvements in the Cranbourne town centre;