By BRIDGET SCOTT
THE next stage of a state-of-the-art precinct planned for the City of Casey has been given the go ahead after local residents threw their support behind it.
The visions and objectives of the proposed Casey Cultural Precinct were adopted by councillors last Tuesday after weeks of community consultation.
City of Casey Mayor Amanda Stapledon was thrilled to receive significant support from the community for the proposed precinct, which will be the biggest project undertaken by the council yet.
“The community feedback we received is incredibly encouraging,” she said.
“It is fantastic that the visions resonated so well with the community.”
The new hub, which is planned to be complete midway through 2017, will include a regional theatre, community plaza and a library, as well as many other attractions.
Cr Stapledon said the new centre will be an ideal display of the progress that the City of Casey is making.
“It showcases our status as Victoria’s most vibrant city,” she said.
Springfield Ward councillor Sam Aziz congratulated the mayor on her hard work in relation to the project.
“It will make the city the premier attraction of the entire south-east,” he said.
“It will create benefit and will have minimal impact on residents in terms of rates.”
A poll was recently conducted called Casey’s Conversations, which invited input from the public about what they would like to see in the centre.
Respondents stated why this is a worthwhile project for the community and also expressed a desire to incorporate the history of the area into its future.
The project’s objectives include a desire to have a strong, inclusive and engaging public plaza, with a unique design that instils pride and ownership by the community.
It is planned to begin the construction of this new project in the near future.
The importance of this new hub was reaffirmed for Cr Stapledon after receiving such positive feedback.
“It is an absolutely wonderful endeavour and something the community definitely deserve,” she said.
People interested in finding out more about the project can visit the Casey Cultural Precinct website at www.caseyculturalprecinct.com.au.
The Casey Cultural and Civic Precinct is expected to open in mid-2017.
