By Brendan Rees
Casey Council has welcomed a major State Government fund – for which it hopes to receive up to $2.5 million to help deliver priority projects.
Casey will be one of 16 councils vying for a slice of the expanded $25 million Growing Suburbs Fund (GSF) which was announced this month.
The new funding will bring forward new and upgraded facilities including libraries, local parks, playgrounds, community centres and sporting facilities.
Casey Council chair of administrators Noelene Duff said the funding was vital in “creating a connected community” – with the city having invested $25.5 million for 18 different projects in the past five years through the GSF.
“GSF is a key part of the funding needed to address the needs of our fast-growing community,” Ms Duff said.
The funding has also contributed to the new pavilion facilities at Sweeney Reserve in Narre Warren as well as Selandra Community Hub and the Clyde North and Endeavour Hills community precincts.
Casey Council is also hopeful the state budget in October will provide additional funding support for the Casey community, who have been some of the hardest hit by the economic and social impacts of Covid-19.
Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas said the funding would help create jobs and support businesses to rebuild from the crisis.
Under the GSF, no council can receive more than 10 per cent of the total funding pool.
