Council hands out rates cash

– Callan Date
CASEY Council has divided up more than $1.2 million in budget surplus funds to various projects around the municipality.
More than $600,000 will go towards the establishment of new basketball facilities over the next few years.
The council will soon be presented with a Leisure Facilities Development Plan (LFDP), which includes a planned direction for basketball in Casey.
Cranbourne Indoor Leisure Centre, Timbarra and Monash University have all been earmarked as potential places where the money will be spent.
Costal Village residents will be able to enjoy summer more this year with $100,000 allocated to mosquito control in the area.
Councillors’ ward funds were also given a boost with a total of $110,000 allocated.
The council will give the CFA $45,000 to purchase a strike vehicle and $20,000 will also be spent on equipment at the Cranbourne Community Theatre.
Several of Casey’s playgrounds will get a boost with $275,000 allocated for the replacement of playground equipment and cricketers at Casey Fields and Amberley Park Drive ovals will be happy about almost $30,000 going towards the installation of synthetic wickets.
The council allocated the Casey North Community Information and Support Service $16,000 and $75,100 is due to be spent on office improvements at the Civic Centre.
Councillors Kevin Bradford, Michael Farley, Janet Halsall, Paul Richardson, Rob Wilson, Wayne Smith and Colin Butler supported the surplus allocation motion.