Casey Council is calling on the State Government to help fund eight critical community infrastructure projects.
The council has applied almost $16 million in grants from the government’s Growing Suburbs Fund (GSF) to get the projects underway.
It has sought $1.83 million from the GSF to develop a Cranbourne West Community Hub and Town Square with council set to contribute $1.83 million.
It is also hopes to secure $6.49 million for a Casey Fields Regional Community Soccer Precinct and $1.57 million to develop a District Soccer/Cricket Recreation Reserve at Selandra Estate.
Council is also seeking $442,000 for a South Gippsland Highway Streetscape Renewal project within the Tooradin Township and $1.65 million for a District AFL/ Cricket/ Netball Recreation Reserve Development project at Kilora Estate in Clyde North.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Geoff Ablett said council will be applying for the maximum amount possible of $10 million through the GSF.
He said it was a much-needed funding source for growth areas like Casey to keep up with growing infrastructure demands.
“As our population increases on average by 13,000 people every year, we are faced with a significant challenge in trying to keep pace with the infrastructure that our communities deserve and need,” said Cr Ablett.
“Since the introduction of rate capping, keeping up the infrastructure and service needs of our growing community has gotten progressively harder. We now rely heavily on funding streams such as the GSF to assist us in keeping up with demand.”
Cr Ablett added that council was pleased to receive funding for seven out of our eight applications last year.
“We hope that we are again successful in this year’s pool so that we can get on with delivering these important projects for our community,” he said.
The GSF will fund new, expanded or upgraded and renewal infrastructure projects that must commence construction within 12 months of the grant being announced and be completed within three years from the start of construction.
Here is a complete list of the projects:
• Tooradin Township – South Gippsland Highway Streetscape Renewal Estimated project cost: $884,000, GSF request: $442,000, Council contribution: $442,000
• Hallam Recreation Reserve Hall – Renewal and Refurbishment Estimated project cost: $838,800, GSF request: $419,400, Council contribution: $419,400
• Endeavour Hills Community Precinct – Stage 2 Terraced Landscaping and Skate Park Estimated project cost: $3.36m, GSF request: $1.68m, Council contribution: $1.68m
• Frog Hollow Reserve – New Regional Rugby Union Pavilion Estimated project cost: $3.62m, GSF request: $1.81m, Council contribution: $1.71m (Council has also received $100,000 toward the project from Sport and Recreation Victoria)
• Casey Fields Regional Community Soccer Precinct – Stage 1 Community Facilities Estimated project cost: $17.99m, GSF request: $6.49m, Council contribution $6.49m (Council is also awaiting the outcome of a $5m contribution from the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contributions Fund)
• Cranbourne West Community Hub and Town Square Estimated project cost: $7.34m, GSF request: $1.83m, Council contribution: $1.83m ($3.68m of developer contribution funds have also been allocated towards this project)
• Selandra Estate – District Soccer/Cricket Recreation Reserve Development Estimated project cost: $9.01m, GSF request: $1.57m, Council contribution: $1.57m ($5.86m of developer contribution funds have also been allocated towards this project)
• Kilora Estate – District AFL/ Cricket/ Netball Recreation Reserve Development Estimated project cost: $7.28m, GSF request: $1.65m, Council contribution: $1.65m ($3.96m of developer contribution funds have also been allocated towards this project) Tuesday 26 June 2018
