Work on track

Work has started on the $10.6 million Casey Fields Development Project that will include an athletics track and regional playground.
Holt MP Anthony Byrne, Community Development Minister Peter Batchelor, Cranbourne MP Jude Perera and Casey mayor Geoff Ablett were on hand as the first sod was turned on 5 August.
The project was made possible with a $8.945 million grant from the Federal Government’s Regional Local Community Infrastructure Program.
The athletics facility will include a synthetic track, facilities for javelin, shotput, high jump and discus, lighting for night competition, pavilions and shade shelters.
Cr Ablett said he hoped every school in the City of Casey would use the facility for sports carnivals.
The $1.25 million regional playground will include life-size board games, an interactive sound sculpture, a flying fox and barbecue area. The project is expected to create 80 jobs during construction and be finished by December next year.
Mr Byrne said the work would create a “world-class facility for our community”.
The State Government also announced a $400,000 grant for the Casey Fields project.
Cr Ablett said: “The turning of the sod is evidence of the council’s vision to turn a collection of paddocks into a first-class sporting facility providing sport and recreation opportunities for thousands of people in our rapidly-growing community. It is pleasing to see three levels of government working together to provide much-needed infrastructure for our residents and, in this case, helping to make our field of dreams a reality.”
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera said the State Government funding would go towards a new meeting room as part of the planned sports pavilion.