It is great to be the city of choice to live, work and raise a family.

The City of Casey is a diverse, vibrant and multicultural city which remains one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, with over 270,000 current residents.

We are incredibly fortunate to be home to a diverse range of environments – from the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges through to the shores of Westernport Bay. Our communities range from small coastal villages and rolling farmland through to vibrant urban areas.

We have experienced sustained rapid growth and expansion over the last 20 years and our population is projected to grow to over 450,000 in 2036. This provides Council with many challenges such as planning for our new and emerging communities while balancing their needs against the established communities. Council must also manage the competing needs of rural and urban areas where more and more often they directly affect each other.

As a Council we have a blend of youth and experience which helps to generate new ideas and gain many different perspectives on community issues. As individuals, we have our own strengths and priorities, yet as a team we have been able to work in harmony and support each other to achieve some great outcomes for the community.

Securing our Future

As Mayor, my key focus is growing the economy through the creation of local jobs for local people and encouraging businesses to set up shop in the region. In order to achieve this we have formed a unique partnership with Cardinia Shire Council to provide a strong regional presence in the business community

Overwhelmingly our residents have told us they want to live local and work local. Currently, over 70 per cent of working residents leave the region each day to reach their place of employment.

Together with Cardinia Shire Council we want to cultivate a thriving, distinctive, forward thinking, sustainable and healthy economy for the region by developing existing businesses, attracting new ones and increasing the number of local jobs.

We will strongly pursue business development opportunities and build strong systems and personal relationships to provide a solid foundation for recruiting investment and jobs.

We believe that our partnership will build confidence in the region, help grow the number of local jobs, increase the diversity of the local economy and promote business and industry growth.

Creating a unique regional hub for arts and culture

One of the most exciting projects I have been involved in during my time as Mayor is the Casey Cultural Precinct.

Council is creating a central heart for the community that celebrates participation, belonging and civic pride. The Precinct will be a regional multi-purpose development combining the arts, learning and community facilities, located in Narre Warren. It will transform our local area into a multi-faceted community hub for the wider region of Melbourne’s outer east and south east.

The Precinct will include:

• 800 seat regional performing arts centre
• Multi-purpose exhibition space
• Regional art gallery
• Community library and meeting rooms
• Civic Centre and Council offices
• Activated Community Plaza
• Regional Schools Centre of the Arts.

Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt), a leading Australian architectural firm, won the Casey Cultural Precinct design competition with a contemporary and innovative design that draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape, local culture and the history of the area.

The building incorporates a blend of materials, including an impressive metal and timber roof, contemporary curved glass facade and a warm timber interior.

The striking design is a fantastic outcome for the community and will be a welcoming place for everyone to come together when it opens in 2017.

Group Shot:

Back row (from left to right): Cr Louise Berkelmans, Cr Geoff Ablett, Cr Gary Rowe, Cr Rafal Kaplon, Cr Mick Morland, Cr Rosalie Crestani.

Front row (left to right): Cr Damien Rosario, Cr Susan Serey, Cr Amanda Stapledon, Cr Sam Aziz, Cr Wayne Smith.