Hand over landfill

By Lia Bichel
A CASEY councillor is pleading with the State Government to make good on its promise and show Casey the money.
Casey council has not yet received the $24 million promised by the State Government earlier this year which would support the remediation costs of the Stevensons Road landfill.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said in May that that funding had been placed in a contingency fund held by the Treasurer until related legal proceedings had been finalised.
Casey councillor Bob Halsall said local residents were suffering from the delay and urged the State Government to pay up.
“The State Government needs to grow some testicles and take responsibility,” Cr Halsall said.
“No-one wants to take responsibility and the ratepayers are continuously getting a black eye. The ratepayers are footing the bill for it.
“The longer the State Government muck around the more Casey will have to pay eventually.”
Casey Council said it anticipate discussions regarding the funds would resume shortly but a State Government spokesperson said negotiations with the Casey Council were continuing.
“The Government has sought to finalise these negotiations on numerous occasions however the Casey Council have then raised additional issues,” the spokesperson said.
“The Government will continue to negotiate in good-faith and seek to conclude a mutually satisfactory outcome with the council as soon as possible.”