By LIA SPENCER
CASEY council has embarked on its largest project yet to create a multi-million dollar one-stop-shop for services, arts and entertainment.
The City of Casey announced yesterday (Wednesday) a visionary plan to create the $125million Casey Cultural and Civic Precinct that would give residents from Casey and surrounds a unique hub similar to Federation Square.
The precinct will be about 1.6 hectares in size and located adjacent to Casey ARC, with the recently-expanded Westfield Fountain Gate Shopping Centre nearby.
It will combine business, arts and other facilities under one roof.
It will feature a regional theatre with 800 seats, multi-purpose exhibition space, regional art gallery, new community library, community meeting rooms, civic centre and community plaza similar to City Square in Melbourne.
At least 1000 jobs will be created during construction and it is expected to inject more than $300 million into the regional economy.
The council also hopes to attract touring art exhibitions and major companies like The Australian Ballet and Melbourne Theatre Company.
Casey CEO Mike Tyler said the range of services and opportunities would hopefully attract people to the area and keep residents in Casey instead of travelling to Frankston or Dandenong for art and entertainment.
City of Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon said the project was one of the largest embarked upon by local government in Victoria and possibly Australia and acknowledged Cr Wayne Smith for his vision in relation to the regional theatre and art gallery.
“There’s currently nowhere else in Melbourne that you can get assistance from council, take in a theatre show, view amazing art, see a national touring exhibition, relax with friends and family and even visit the gym in such close proximity,” she said.
“With Westfield Fountain Gate also within easy walking distance, you can also go shopping, catch a movie and enjoy dinner nearby.”
Casey Council had a similar vision for the Casey Main Street Project in 2008, but plans were suspended after the Global Financial Crisis.
Cr Mick Morland said that unlike the Casey Main Street Project, the location of the proposed Casey Cultural and Civic Precinct would cause little disruption to Casey residents during its construction.
Ratepayers will not have to fork out extra for the construction of the precinct because Casey Council will be using loans, savings from the past three years, and it hopes to secure Federal and State Government funding.
People interested in finding out more about the project can visit the council’s website t www.casey.vic.gov.au/civicprecinct.
Those wanting to provide feedback on the vision, objectives and site plan are encouraged to visit the council’s community consultation portal, Casey Conservations, at www.caseyconservation.com.au/civicprecinct.
The council will also hold focus groups and briefing sessions with the community in the near future.
