Budget through

By Jade Lawton
CASEY Council adopted its 2009/2010 Budget last week, with some changes to the draft proposals.
Following a submission to the Cranbourne Football Club, $970,000 has been re-allocated to upgrade Oval 2 and 3 pavilions at Casey Fields so that the club’s administrative and social facilities can be moved from the E.G. Allen Reserve in time for the 2010 football season.
More than half the funds came from the development of Grices Road Reserve, while $470,000 will be re-distributed from two projects that were originally funded from rates in council’s capital works program, but have now been identified as being eligible to be funded through other means.
The Grices Road development will include three soccer fields, a cricket oval, double pavilion, training lights and car park. It was stressed that the re-allocation would not impact on the progress of the Grices Road project, but that the $500,000 would need to be re-included in 2010/11. The council noted Casey resident Rene Stolk’s concern at the 4.7 percent rate rise.
Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce president Harry Hutchinson said traders were pleased with 2009/10 waste levies, which range from $200 to $3900.