With reference to the letter in the Cranbourne News (Need For Bunjil, News, 2 July 2015).
We refute the statements of the then Mayor Mick Morland.
1. This precinct is an unwanted structure which is being forced on the community without proper funding (only $10 million funded by the Federal Government) without taking into account of where the balance of $115 million will come from?
An email received from the Manager Legal Services (Rob Pedder) has stated that under the Local Government Act the council can undertake borrowings to fund its operations or capital works.
This funding will eventually fall on ratepayers in future years.
Note: An email to the mayor on 16 June 16 asking why was an amount of $35,774,000 for Bunjil Place being budgeted in the Draft Budget?
Email from Rob Pedder (Manager Legal Sevices) has said that the estimated construction expenditure is $25.5 million. Why? This is added in the budget and to the rates.
All ratepayers are not aware of this being slyly added to the budget for 2015-2016.The
ex-mayor, Geoff Ablett has clearly indicated that the cost of this building will not result in rate increases. This is misuse of ratepayers money.
2. Statistics show that the City of Casey has a population of 288,000 and as the mayor (Mick Morland) has said that the council had engaged an independent research firm which conducted a telephone survey of 300 people as well as an analysis of 200 online responses of residents (not all living) in Casey.
Eighty two per cent of respondents agreed for a need for a cultural and community precinct in south-east Melbourne.
This is a blatant stupidity on the part of council to go ahead with this project with just 82 per cent of the 500 people when Casey has a population of 288,000.
When we asked for proof of this survey council was not able to comply.
3. There are three council offices and many libraries operating, surely there is no need for such an extravagant building to be constructed to house new offices and a library.
It is a waste of ratepayers’ monies.
4. Late last year we had asked the council what the running cost of this precinct.
There was no response.
Dunstan Girton and Louis Kotsiras,
Hampton Park.
