Front from left: Sweeney Recreation Reserve secretary George Barker, Casey councillor Michael Farley, Narre Warren Junior Football Club president Norm Berry and, back, representatives from local softball, cricket, netball and football clubs all want the Sweeney Reserve car park sealed.
By Callan Date
A BERWICK car park has reignited the north versus south debate in Casey.
Springfield Ward councillor Michael Farley said he was struggling to get money allocated to seal the Sweeney Reserve car park while at the same time millions of dollars were being poured into developments at the Cranbourne end of town.
Cr Farley mentioned Casey Fields and the soon-to-be-built Cranbourne Aquatic and Leisure Centre as two major projects absorbing millions of ratepayer dollars.
“All the money at the moment is getting spent in Cranbourne,” he said.
“We need to spend the money across the city and we desperately need this car park built.”
However, Casey mayor and Balla Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler said Cr Farley’s argument was flawed in several areas.
“This is an absolutely pathetic debate,” he said.
“We have had money spent in the south for the last three years, but the previous nine years has all been in the north.
“Casey Fields is for everybody – it is not just for the people of the south.”
Cr Farley said he would debate long and hard for money to be allocated in the council’s budget for the Sweeney Reserve car park.
“Let’s drag Casey into the 21st century and get this car park sealed,” he said.
“At the moment your clothes get covered in dust and in the winter months it ends up as a mud hole. You end up with cars getting bogged.”
Cr Farley said the car park was used by hundreds of people every week with softball, football and cricket matches regularly taking place.
“Council has sent a loud and clear message that they will book illegal parkers,” he said.
“But if they are going to get real about the problem they need to spend some money and make the facilities better.”
Cr Farley estimated it would cost about $500,000 to properly seal the car park.
Cr Butler said the Sweeney Reserve car park was one of many, including Casey Fields, which was not sealed.
“We need to add it to the list and try and work through it so we can eventually get all car parks sealed,” he said.
