Celebrating the finalisation of the agreement between the Casey council and State Government are, from left, Cr Wayne Smith, Cr Geoff Ablett, Cr Shar Balmes, Mayor Sam Aziz, South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich, Hastings MP Neale Burgess and Bob Halsall. 74345 Picture: Donna Oates
By Bridget Cook
THE State Government and Casey council had 24 million reasons to celebrate last week.
Local MP’s and City of Casey councillor gathered last week to celebrate the finalisation of the agreement between the council and State Government, for the Coalition’s election promise of $24 million to assist with the Stevenson’s Road landfill methane gas mess.
The council has received the first $6 million and will receive another $6 million before the end of the 2011/12 financial year and $12 million before the end of the 2012/13 financial year towards the remediation costs of the Stevenson’s Road Closed Landfill.
Together with the contribution of $17.5 million from the State Government in October 2010, the further payment will bring the total of funds received by the council for remediation costs to $41.5 million.
The contribution follows an election commitment made by the Coalition to the City of Casey prior to the 2010 Victorian state election.
Councillor Geoff Ablett said while settlement was agreed upon last month, he wanted to let resident know it was now finalised.
“It took a lot of hard work by both sides to reach this resolution and I congratulate the CEO Mike Tyler and the Baillieu Government, in particular Inga Peulich, for this dedication to the Casey community,” he said.
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich said the funds would provide relief to the City of Casey.
“The payment to the City of Casey is a solution that will benefit every ratepayer and resident in the City of Casey by reducing council rates and providing relief to Casey’s budget,” she said.
Ms Peulich extended her appreciation to all those who assisted in the resolution of the terms of the agreement to ensure that the election commitment is honoured within the four year term of government.
“In particular, I would like to acknowledge the Baillieu Government and the City of Casey, especially CEO Mike Tyler and Cr Geoff Ablett, who have worked doggedly to reach a final agreement to allow the flow of funds to proceed,” she said.
