Council pledge on ovals

By Rebecca Fraser
CASEY Council has assured two Narre Warren North sporting clubs that their new ovals were still on the way, despite the State Government reneging on a promise to chip in $500,000 for the much anticipated project.
Edrington Ward councillor Mick Morland said two new ovals, to be located on Belgrave-Hallam Road, would still be ready for the 2007 sporting season.
The multi-million dollar project follows a campaign by both the Narre North Foxes and the Narre Warren North Cricket Club to obtain new facilities to accommodate their growing members list.
During a 2004 visit to Casey, Minister for Sport and Recreation Justin Madden pledged half a million dollars for the project, but when the City of Casey applied for the funds the application was denied.
State Government guidelines prevent municipalities from applying for more than one funding category per year.
Under the 2006-07 Community Facilities Funding Program, the City of Casey made applications for funding assistance for the proposed Cranbourne Aquatic and Recreation Centre and for facilities at the proposed Narre Warren North sports complex.
However, the minister approved the application for the pool, but rejected consideration of the Narre Warren North facilities.
Casey CEO Mike Tyler said both funding applications complied with the funding guidelines, except that a municipality was eligible to apply for funding in respect of only one category in any year.
Mr Tyler said council was nevertheless pressing ahead with the design of the two-oval complex at Narre Warren North, its highest priority recreation project for the area.
The City of Casey had applied for a $500,000 grant from the State Government towards a $1.7 million pavilion and car park at the proposed $3.5 million Narre Warren North sports complex.
Mr Tyler said the application followed a commitment from the minister to provide funding assistance.
Cr Morland said the issue would have no impact on the project and if worse came to worse council would pay the outstanding amount.
“I assure the people of Narre Warren North and the Narre Warren North Foxes that council will go ahead and under no circumstances will the project be stopped or will we renege our on promise,” he said.
Deputy mayor Rob Wilson said he was equally confident that the project would be completed by next year.
“It is still full speed ahead and rest assured council will be pulling all stops to bring this much needed project to completion,” he said.
President of Narre North Foxes Sean Delaney said council had committed to the project and the development was never conditional on the state funding.
“It is up to them to sort things out between themselves.
“They (Casey) have a big enough budget to pay for it themselves.
“If they can put up money for Casey Fields in Cranbourne they can put up money for this.
“Two councillors, Mick Morland and Rob Wilson, have been fighting hard for this and I am sure they will stick to their commitment,” he said.
A spokesperson for Mr Madden did not respond to queries from the News before time of print.