Council boss hits back

CASEY CEO Mike Tyler has launched an attack on claims that the council was being mischievous or misleading in its comments about the rejection of the funding application for the Narre Warren North sports complex.
In a released statement Mr Tyler said comments made by Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan last week were ‘unfounded’.
Mr Donnellan (News 12 January) called on Casey council to agree with him that it had put its plans to build the Cranbourne Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Cranbourne ahead of the interests of the people of Narre Warren North.
The City of Casey made two applications for funding assistance for the proposed Cranbourne Aquatic and Recreation Centre and for facilities at the proposed Narre Warren North sports complex.
The minister approved the application for the pool after Casey Council deemed it a priority and hence, the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Justin Madden, approved this application.
Mr Tyler said this week that the council’s comments contained in a media release issued in December clearly indicated that funding assistance had been sought for two projects. He also said that both applications met the funding program guidelines.
“What is disappointing is that, although State Government representatives are pointing to only one application being allowed in any one year, they are ignoring the fact that when council applied for funding for the Cranbourne pool for 2005/06 that application was rejected and no other major facility was approved in the City of Casey,” Mr Tyler said.
He said the council was encouraged to resubmit the Cranbourne project for funding which it did successfully for 2006/07.
“It is extremely unfortunate that the State Government rejected the Cranbourne pool application for 2005/06, not only delaying its commencement but, in subsequently approving it in 2006/07, using this approval as a pretext for rejecting another project which it had previously committed to,” Mr Tyler said.
“Had the State Government approved the Cranbourne pool application, as it should have for 2005/06, then the Narre Warren North sports complex would have been the only City of Casey application in the Major Facilities category for 2006/07.
“Not only has the State Government delayed funding assistance to necessary projects in Casey, it has also relied on a inequitable policy which treats all municipalities the same regardless of population or growth levels.”
But Mr Donnellan said Casey’s CEO was wrong in claiming outer suburban councils were treated inequitably.
“Outer suburban councils receive $1.50 in funding (for sport) for every dollar contributed compared to inner suburban councils only receiving a dollar.
“Mr Tyler doesn’t appear to have read the funding guidelines properly.
“His council has received more funding for sport than any other council in Victoria outside the CBD of Melbourne. Some $9.5 million to be exact over the last five years.”