By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Casey Council is considering a second mission to China this year with a delegation of businesses.
The news was dropped during public submissions to the council’s 2017-’18 budget on 20 June.
At the meeting, Casey Residents and Ratepayers’ Association spokesman Brendan Browne had taken aim at the council’s “wasteful” trips to China in 2013 and 2017.
“We know the costs are significant but we don’t know what the costs are.”
It was unclear what was paid to council staff and consultants who took part on the trips, he said.
The economic projects with China, such as a proposed ice rink in 2013, seemed “passing fads” rather than “serious achievable projects with real value”, the CRRA submission stated.
Mr Browne also noted Cardinia Shire’s lack of interest and Casey businesses not jumping aboard the most recent trip in April.
Mayor Sam Aziz responded that the China trip’s merits and costs were outlined in an “extensive” public report.
He said a “planeful” of local businesses were expected to join the council in a possible repeat of the trip in October.
It was worth spending $16,000 on a trip that would potentially accrue “millions and millions of dollars” in investment as well as jobs, he said.
“I encourage the (CRRA) to talk to the real business community.”
In further points, Mr Browne noted the council paid its mayor and councillors at the highest possible pay scale.
Casey’s mayor is paid up to $94,641 a year, and its councillors up to $29,630 each – plus allowances and reimbursements.
“We don’t think you’re underpaid,” Mr Browne said. “Given the public expectations.”
“We hope you live up to those expectations as much as possible.”
The CRRA also called for the itemised disclosure of non-capital costs in the budget, as well as outlining the $3.2 million cost for rehabilitating the notorious Stevensons Road landfill in Cranbourne in 2017-’18.
Other submissions included a call for a dog park in Hallam, rates rebates to encourage the retention of large heritage properties and cutting “double-charging” rates for retirement village residents.
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria requested Casey seal 500 metres of Ballarto Road leading up to the Cranbourne Botanic Gardens’ west gate.
In a report, the council responded it would be “premature” to allocate the request in 2017-’18 without detailed investigation.
Cr Aziz said the submissions would be considered prior to the budget’s finalisation on 27 June.
