‘Deal of a lifetime’

By Jim Mynard
THE City of Casey may get its new civic centre, arts centre and library from a type of land capture deal.
The council will offer the parcel of land it owns, bordered by the Westfield Shopping Centre, existing library, Max Pawsey Reserve and Casey ARC, for redevelopment into a major activity centre.
Casey mayor Neil Lucas said the plan was to design the precinct to include a new retail precinct, leading edge arts facility, new library and council civic centre, plus car parking and public open space.
He said the plan was the biggest and most exciting project in which he had been involved during a lifetime in local government.
Cr Lucas said the project would involve total community consultation.
“Community consultation will begin on Friday 23 September to develop the design brief for the centre,” Cr Lucas said.
“There is considerable work to do to ensure we create community facilities that will be used by residents across southeast Melbourne,” he said.
The mayor said the activity centre was part of the central business district structure plan that highlighted the need for such a precinct.
He said that during the next few months the community would be widely consulted, and input received would form part of the design brief to be given to three developers selected from the expression of interest (EOI) process.
“Council has established a strong selection criteria for the EOI process, including compliance with the structure plan, a demonstrated ability to work with the community and how developers will generate employment and support for business,” he said.
“The consultation will include an information pack sent to every household, community meetings and the establishment of a community reference group.
“The final design brief will then be publicised and tested.”
Cr Lucas said there would be plenty of opportunity for community input.
He said the centre could provide important arts facility for families and future generations from all over Melbourne.
“In all, the centre will deliver improved community and entertainment facilities, with an arts centre, library, shops and cafes,” he said.
Cr Lucas said council would advertise in national newspapers seeking expressions of interest from companies to be involved in developing the new precinct.
He said the council would not sell the land, but would lease it to the successful developer for 50 years, ensuring this important asset remained in community hands.
“The final costs of developing the centre will be determined by the price the developers are prepared to pay for a 50year lease for the site and the extent and details of the facilities that the community wants,” Cr Lucas said.
“However, the council hopes these facilities will be developed at no cost to the community.
“It is important to note that in the long term, at the end of the lease, the community will own the facilities, so there will be a net gain in community assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
“With the future and the municipality’s youth at the forefront of the council’s thinking on the project, the multiuse arts centre that is integral to the concept will be a prized facility for the entire Casey community, but in particular, children and schools.”