No cost to ratepayers

I would like to address Ray Baker’s letter Precinct Project of Concern (News, 30 January), in which he infers that Casey residents “are
going to be paying rates at the Toorak level” due to the construction of the Casey Cultural Precinct.
I want to assure Ray, and all the residents of Casey, that council is funding the precinct through a combination of savings, a loan and external funding.
Council rates will not increase due to the construction of this fantastic community facility. With an 800-seat regional theatre, multi-purpose exhibition space, regional art
gallery, community library and meeting rooms, civic centre and council offices and a community plaza, this precinct will be the heart of the community.
Cr Geoff Ablett,
Mayor, City of Casey.