Council hits back

THE City of Casey has set the record straight about claims its risked ratepayer funds on a pokies venture in conjunction with the Casey Scorpions.
Following false assertions in recent weeks in other local newspaper articles, the council hit out at the accusations and said it was adamant that was not the case.
The articles claimed the council was unlikely to recoup a $3 million loan to the Casey Scorpions after a proposed pokie machine venture did not get up at its Casey Fields home ground.
But City of Casey Mayor Amanda Stapledon said the council did not lend the Scorpions any money.
“There are no council funds at risk from the failure of a possible pokies development,” she said.
“Under the agreement with the Scorpions, a contribution to defray some of the costs of the pavilion was to be paid by the Scorpions to council if, and only if, a viable gaming facility was established at the site.
“This would have resulted in some of the community funds lost at the venue being recouped by council as a contribution to sporting infrastructure.
“In the absence of a gaming facility, there was no requirement for the Scorpions to contribute funds towards the pavilion.
“This is the same as other sports pavilions funded by council.
“The council normally funds pavilions on sports grounds, and likewise did so at the VFL Oval, spending the $3 million to build the pavilion.”
Cr Stapledon said it was unfortunate that one particular local paper – Casey Weekly – promoted the misinformation about the deal.
“Even when the errors were pointed out, (they) went back to their original source and then pedalled more misinformation,” she said.
“Any further discussion about this issue is being fuelled by politically disaffected people raking over cold coals aided by a media outlet which chooses not to report on the real facts.”
Speaking to the Cranbourne News in July, Casey Scorpions general manager Brian Woodman said the club had been unable to secure the $5 million needed to finance the planned sports club and gaming venue at its home ground.
The club has a 50-year lease from the City of Casey for land at Casey Fields to build the sports club which would include a bistro, sports bar and gaming machine venue.
The social club obtained a planning permit in October 2005 and Victorian Gaming Commission approval in February 2007.
Mr Woodman said in July that the facility, which was meant to be a sufficient source of income for the club, would be put off for now.
“Due to the global financial crisis, we have struggled to get finance at the moment to do it,” he said.
“This is just something longer term now, for the club to have a sports club facility.”