Call for cash

By Lia Bichel
CASEY Council will advocate for funding to upgrade busy, congested roads.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Shar Bales said she was disappointed some of Casey’s roads failed to receive any funding and said the Victorian Government, through VicRoads, needed to “keep pace” with the municipalities increasing population.
While sections of Clyde Road received funding, Cr Balmes said the severely congested north- south metropolitan link was a crucial part of Casey’s road network and required urgent attention.
The council’s top state road upgrade priority is the duplication of Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, from Pound Road to Glasscocks Road and from Linsell Boulevard to Sladen Street.
“Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road is a key public transport route between Cranbourne and Narre Warren and beyond,” she said.
“VicRoads needs to act now to develop this infrastructure to ensure that Casey’s roads progress from the country-style roads that were suitable 20 years ago, to city-style roads that will be sustainable into the future.”
Cr Sam Aziz recently tabled a petition at council with 945 signatures of people wanting Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road duplicated between Pound and Thompson’s Roads.
The petition was recently tabled in parliament by Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley.
Cr Aziz said he was also “extremely disappointed” with the lack of funding.
“I think the government should pay attention to growth areas like Casey,” he said.
“Hopefully our advocacy will gain consideration in future budgets. (We will) absolutely not stop advocating. It’s our number one priority.”
Council said other roads in need of upgrades by VicRoads are the Monash Freeway and the intersection of the Princes Freeway/ Clyde Road in Berwick, and the South Gippsland Highway/Hallam Road/ Evans Road in Hampton Park.
Cr Balmes said the council would continue to advocate for road upgrades on behalf of the community.
“One of the council’s key priorities is to advocate on behalf of the community to outside agencies such as the state and federal governments to secure funding and partnership initiatives for the benefit of the community and in respect to state road improvements we will continue to do so,” she said.
The council’s full list of state road improvement priorities is available from council’s website at www.casey.vic.gov.au