By Eleanor Wilson
Casey Council said it has “welcomed” the Federal Budget’s plans to ease cost of living pressures, but is disappointed there was “no new investment into infrastructure projects in our city.”
City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM said the budget measures will help Casey households to manage increasing cost of living pressures.
The Council said Casey residents can expect the budget to provide petrol price relief for residents who commute by vehicle; better connection of residents to services; and an improvement to residents and businesses’ mobile telephone reception, particularly in the growing communities of Clyde and Clyde North.
Ms Duff said the extension of the Local Roads and Community infrastructure Program was also welcome news.
“Council has been able to deliver some critical projects in our city through this program since it was introduced two years ago,” she said.
“We hope this program will enable us to complete more eligible projects for the community.”
Despite being pleased with certain areas of Tuesday’s Budget, Ms Duff said it was “very disappointing” to see there was no allocation to the “promised” South East Melbourne City Deal.
“We will continue to seek funding for priority, transformational road and rail infrastructure projects that will ease congestion, boost jobs and connect our community to employment and services,” she said.
The South East Melbourne Deal is a collaboration between eight councils and shires in the southern metropolitan region of Melbourne, including Monash, Casey, Greater Dandenong, Kingston, Frankston, Cardinia, Mornington Peninsula and Knox, which advocates for investment, prosperity, jobs and sustainability across the region.
The grouping, which represents 1.5 million Victorian residents, was promised a commitment to the development of a City Deal in the lead up to the 2019 federal election.
Since then, the Federal Government indicated it will not proceed with the deal until the North West City Deal has been delivered.
In the lead up to the 2022 federal election, Casey Council is advocating for funding for key roads and public transport hubs, including an upgrade and extension to Thompsons Road, the Clyde Road Corridor, and a commitment to the Clyde Rail Link.
