By LIA SPENCER
Stage set for war over plans for rival arts centres…
GRAND plans by both the City of Casey and the City of Greater Dandenong have the two rivalling to be the entertainment hub of Melbourne’s south-east.
A Greater Dandenong councillor fears that his council’s major project plans could come under threat by Casey Council’s $125 milllion proposal for a Casey Cultural and Civic Precinct.
Casey Council plans for the precinct, which was announced on 5 June, will feature a regional theatre with 800 seats, multi-purpose exhibition space, regional art gallery, new community library, community meeting rooms, civic centre and community plaza.
The proposal is similar to City of Greater Dandenong’s new municipal building plans which will feature a new library, café, civic offices, retail space, community rooms and a civic square which is hoped to become a “Federation Square” of Melbourne’s south-east.
Greater Dandenong councillor Matthew Kirwan asked his colleagues in a meeting last week that a letter be written to the State Government asking it not to help fund Casey’s plans.
“When I found out about this (project) it was actually quite concerning to me,” Cr Kirwin said at the meeting.
“Will (City of Greater Dandenong ) council be writing to members of Parliament talking about our concerns with this project and, if I can be so bold, encouraging them not to actually fund it to this size because it does put us as a regional capital under threat?”
Cr Kirwin also said Casey Council’s region theatre plans could threaten the Drum Theatre in Dandenong.
But Mark Doubleday, the Director Community Services at City of Greater Dandenong said the strategic plan for the Drum Theatre has taken Casey Council’s plans into account and wished Casey Council the best with its endeavours.
“They probably need to badge it as a regional facility in order to gain Commonwealth and State support and I wish them well with that as they have supported us as a council with the development of the Noble Park Aquatic Centre (NPAC) and other facilities,” Mr Doubleday said.
“I think it is beholden on council, through the advisory committee, to continue to take on board and embrace any form of competition and develop a strategic plan that continues to enhance the Drum Theatre as a premier facility for the region.”
City of Greater Dandenong chief executive Officer John Bennie said he believed Cr Kirwan’s questions were matters the council needed to take on notice.
City of Casey Mayor Amanda Stapledon said Casey Council’s proposal would complement the City of Greater Dandenong’s own plans.
“Council is confident that the rapidly increasing population and robust arts community to the outer east and south-east of Melbourne can support a wide range of community, cultural and civic facilities,” Cr Stapledon said.
“It is envisaged that the facilities available at the Casey Cultural and Civic Precinct will complement the existing arts and cultural facilities in the area, including the Drum Theatre in Dandenong.”
Cr Stapledon said loans, savings and, hopefully, Federal and State Government funding would finance the plan but did not comment on whether Casey Council could afford the proposal without external funding.
“As the project will benefit the wider community and region, particularly artists, performing arts groups and local schools, council is calling on the State and Federal Governments to contribute funding.
“Council will meet with federal and state MPs and ministers from both the government and opposition to showcase the development and seek both state and federal funding commitments,” she said.
“As council is currently in discussions with the State and Federal Governments it would be premature to comment further at this time.”
