River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith, managing director MacroPlan Australia Brian Haratsis, mayor Neil Lucas, director infrastructure services Ray Butler, acting CEO Steve Dalton and Springfield Ward councillor Ben Clissold.By Alison Noonan
CASEY residents will play a vital role in the development of a multimillion dollar Activity Centre.
Described by mayor Neil Lucas as the “most exciting development the city has ever seen”, the centre will cement Narre Warren as the hub of the municipality.
The Activity Centre, to be located over four hectares of vacant land beside Fountain Gate Shopping Centre, is part of the CBD Structure Plan completed back in November 2004.
To be designed in consultation with residents, the centre is envisioned to include a new retail precinct, multipurpose arts facility, new library, council civic centre and car parking and public open space.
Cr Lucas made the announcement at a special press conference last week and said the centre would be responsive to the needs of the community.
He said the development would come at no cost to ratepayers as council planned to retain ownership of the land but lease it to a developer for 50 years.
“This development is bigger than the announcement of Casey Fields. It will be a vibrant and living new facility that will be used by residents across southeast Melbourne.
“The final cost will be determined by the price the developer is prepared to pay for the 50year lease of the site and the extent and details of the facilities that the community want on the site.
“At the end of the lease, the community will own facilities to the value of hundreds of millions of dollars,” he said.
Cr Lucas said council would consult with the community over the next few months, with input received to form part of the design brief to be given to the three chosen developers.
“Council has established a strong selection criteria for the Expressions of Interest (EOI) process, including compliance with the structure plan, a demonstrated ability to work with the local community and how developers will generate local employment and support local business.
“Every Casey resident will receive an information pack outlining how they can have input into the community design process.
“Council and the community will have the final say as to what is developed on the site,” he said.
Cr Lucas said the plans for the new centre had been given State Government backing, with Planning Minister Rob Hulls agreeing to rezone the land as a Priority Development Zone.
He said this meant that no objections could be made to the development.
“With the future and the municipality’s youth at the forefront of council’s thinking on the project, the multiuse arts centre that is integral to the concept will be a prized facility for the entire Casey community, but in particular, children and schools,” he said.
The EOI closes in November, with a shortlist to be finalised by March 2006.
