Footy deal

By Bridget Brady
CASEY councillor Sam Aziz says some of his peers have used stalling tactics to stop the Melbourne Football Club officially making Casey Fields their home.
Councillors were due to vote this week on whether to endorse an agreement with the AFL club and, if passed, it would have all but sealed the deal for MFC to relocate to Cranbourne East.
But five councillors voted to have the decision deferred, most saying they needed more time to make a sound decision. Two councillors were absent from the meeting and one was unable to vote due to a conflict of interest.
Despite the deferral, mayor Geoff Ablett said he was confident the deal would be passed within two weeks and he supported the club’s relocation to Casey Fields.
But Springfield Ward councillor Sam Aziz said he was “absolutely horrified” a deferral was even considered.
“I cannot see one credible argument against passing the agreement tonight,” Cr Aziz said.
“I see this (deal with MFC) as a fantastic business and community proposition.
“True leadership would require us to pass this.”
Cr Aziz said he was surprised some councillors said they needed more time to consider the deal seeing as though they were briefed on the matter months ago and had “ample opportunity to explore this”.
But mayor Geoff Ablett said it was “garbage” that councillors would deliberately try and stall the issue and thought it likely the deal would be passed soon after councillors had the opportunity to meet MFC officials and find out more to help them make a more informed decision.
“From where I sit it’s a fantastic deal. I’m all for this,” Cr Ablett said.
The mayor, a former AFL player, said he would rather councillors had the opportunity to make a confident decision and pass the motion unanimously as a team.
“I want to give councillors the opportunity to talk to those clubs first hand. I want to pay respect to those people … this is not a stalling tactic. In two weeks I won’t change my attitude.”
Crs Simon Curtis, Kevin Bradford, Karen Baxter, Lynette Keleher and Ablett voted to have the matter deferred.
Cr Bradford said that his opinion on the possible deal with Melbourne Football Club was “changing somewhat”.
Cr Curtis said he had “some quite serious concerns” about the deal. “But I certainly am warming to the idea,” he said.
Cr Baxter said she had changed her mind about five times in regards to the issue.
“I’d prefer to have more time,” Cr Baxter said.
Speaking after the meeting, Cr Lorraine Wreford, who had declared a conflict of interest because she had attended an AFL match compliments of the club during her previous term on the council, called the vote a delaying tactic.
“Cr Bradford has always been against the Melbourne Football Club coming to Casey and has stated this many times publicly, despite huge community support and benefit to the municipality in having an AFL presence.”
Cr Wreford said the vote showed “the ALP is alive and well in Casey”.
“The ALP strategy is to defer and delay a decision, to stop this very worthwhile project.”
Casey chief executive Mike Tyler brokered the deal with MFC.
Estimates are that it will cost the council $1.395 million and return $20 million over the next 30 years, Cr Aziz said on Tuesday.
“Negotiations have gone a long way to ensure dividends will go to many local groups.”
Votes against the deferral were Crs Amanda Stapldedon, Shar Balmes and Aziz. Councillors deferred the matter to the next council meeting.