By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Political parties should listen to the people and commit to “desperately needed” road and rail upgrades ahead of the 2018 state election, says Casey mayor Geoff Ablett.
Fresh from launching the ‘Commit to Casey’ campaign, Cr Ablett said the council’s $2.7 billion wish-list was borne from strong community consultation.
It did not simply come from “a group of councillors around a table”, he said.
He pointed to the huge weight of numbers in the region – up to 150 people moving into Casey each week – as well as the findings of council’s Casey Connects community surveys and workshops.
“(Road and rail) are our two big-picture items. It’s a lot of money but they are desperately needed out here.
“People are spending too much time in a car or waiting at a train station.”
In the 2014 state election, the council had backed Coalition policies such as East West Link and Port of Hastings – with Cr Ablett and Cr Amanda Stapledon running as Liberal candidates.
In 2018, the council has taken a non-partisan approach, Cr Ablett said.
“This is not a Liberal or Labor thing. People just want us to advocate and get both parties on board.
“I think both parties (ALP and Liberal) realise this needs to be done.
“Other transport projects are being done in other parts of Melbourne but this is where the people are.”
Casey appears to have stepped back from a vocal law-and-order stance in 2016 – including the council flag being dropped at half-mast to show a “city in crisis”.
Cr Ablett said the council was still lobbying with Victoria Police for more officers and resources.
The Liberal Party has committed to a new police station in Clyde, but it was arguable that it would be more efficient to station extra officers and tasking units at the existing Cranbourne station, he said.
“Unfortunately there’s still a lot of crime but there’s also a lot of up-side in Cranbourne.
“If you average it out – we’ve got so many people living here, you’re also going to get more people doing the wrong thing.”
The ‘Commit to Casey’ wish-list includes extending Dandenong Bypass to South Gippsland Freeway, upgrading Pound Road, Greaves Road and O’Shea Road and eliminating the Remington Drive level crossing.
Other proposals are finishing the duplication of Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road and Berwick-Cranbourne Road as well as extending Thompsons and Glasscocks roads.
The council will also lobby for a dual railway line to Clyde.
Casey claims the investment would create more than 18,000 jobs, better link homes and employment precincts and inject $1.5 billion into the local economy.
As part of the campaign – during what’s tipped to be a tight election – the council has launched a website for visitors to send a pre-form email, and request a bumper sticker or a placard.
Details: www.CommitToCasey.com.au.
