City of Casey deputy mayor Kevin Bradford with images of the three Commonwealth Games fish to call Casey home.THREE crowd-drawing fish sculptures from last year’s Commonwealth Games are to be restored and featured in Casey.
The $50,000 project was moved for consideration to the 2007-08 Capital Works Program at last week’s council meeting.
If approved, the English roach will make its way to the Cranbourne Aquatic and Leisure Centre, the dolphin fish to the Tooradin Promenade Boardwalk Bridge, and the leatherback turtle will be placed outside Casey ARC.
The metal fish were designed only to last temporarily, and therefore a council report showed the fish were in poor condition due to a rapid onset of corrosion after being exposed to significant wetness during the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.
The restoration for each fish was estimated to cost between $2000 and $3000.
Councillors Steve Beardon and Michael Farley objected to the new sculptures, saying they were a waste of money and were never meant to last.
But other councillors, including Wayne Smith, said the sculptures were something that would be around for a long, long time.
“These fish will be a souvenir from the second most memorable event in this state,” Cr Smith said. “I think it’s poor show to get up and talk against this when there hasn’t been any significant debate against it.”
Councillor Mick Morland said the sculptures were a pittance compared to what was spent on Casey’s leisure centres and it would be an absolute waste if they weren’t put in.
Mayor Colin Butler said if he went back to Tooradin without passing the motion he would be run out of town.
