By Cam Lucadou-Wells
As a sign of endorsement, Casey residents “voted with their feet” at the opening of Narre Warren’s brand-new civic-arts space Bunjil Place, says mayor Sam Aziz.
More than 35,000 flocked to the opening festival at the $125 million precinct’s theatres, library, gallery, cafe and plaza on 28 and 29 October – seven times exceeding the council’s projections, Cr Aziz said.
Residents had expressed “tremendous joy” at the spectacular facilities.
“It’s going to be the talking point of the South-East for many decades to come,” Cr Aziz said.
“People are walking out of the library saying they want to live there. They don’t want to leave the place.”
His message to residents was: “We’ve built it and now we hand it over to you.
“Please come and enjoy it as often as you can because it’s there for you.”
The council’s courage to commit to the biggest municipal council project in the state’s history had been vindicated, he said.
It was delivered before time and under budget, with the project to be paid off within nine years.
“The planning behind it was second-to-none.”
In upcoming events, the library will be officially opened by Local Government Minister Marlene Kairouz on 3 November and Casey’s first council meeting at Bunjil Place will take place on 9 November.
The project was partly funded by the Federal Government’s $10 million grant and a State Government grant of $750,000 for the library.
Cr Aziz didn’t wish to “slap the hand” of successive state governments for not contributing more to the regional project.
“We lobbied hard for the state and federal governments … (regardless) we have been able to successfully deliver the project in our own right.”
He forecast Bunjil Place as being “10 per cent” of Casey Council’s vision to be a Smart City and Australia’s most liveable city.
As part of that, the council has planned a $4 billion wish-list for roads, public transport, services and infrastructure ahead of next year’s State Election.
La Trobe Federal MP Jason Wood congratulated Casey Council in a video message with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Canberra that was played to Gala Dinner guests on Thursday evening.
The exhibition space could showcase some of the region’s famous artists such as Tom Roberts and Arthur Streeton as well as its contemporary creatives, Mr Wood said.
Mr Turnbull congratulated Mr Wood for his “advocacy and passion for your community” in securing federal funding for Bunjil Place.
“It will bring together the extraordinary talent in your community,” Mr Turnbull told viewers.
“We’re proud to say Bunjil Place is your place.”
Narre Warren South State MP Judith Couacaud Graley said she hoped that the project wouldn’t cause ratepayers financial pain.
“The City of Casey has been adamant that they could fund the construction of Bunjil Place through a combination of savings, a loan and funding from the Commonwealth, so I would hope there will be no attempts to raise rates in the coming years.”
Ms Graley said she’d been vocal on the need for community meeting and event spaces in Casey.
“I hope that the fee structure will be reasonable and allow all local groups, not just the well-to-do the opportunity to use Bunjil Place.”
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan said the State Government’s library grant was the largest amount available in the Living Libraries Infrastructure Fund.
“The new library will feature state-of-the-art facilities and will be a wonderful asset and encourage more opportunities for participation in this community.”
South-Eastern Metropolitan MP Inga Peulich said she’d comment on the project at the end of the week.
“My focus will be entirely on trying to defeat the government’s euthanasia bill (this week),” Ms Peulich said.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin did not respond prior to deadline.
