Tuesday, 18 March 2025

South-Eastern Metropolitan Region

Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:59): (1465) My question is to the Minister for Local Government, and my question is: why is Casey council proposing to spend $40 million to $60 million, which I believe represents 40 to 60 per cent of its capital works budget, on the Cranbourne hub, a single project, when the general sentiment from a recent Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce meeting is that most are against the project based on cost and location? The chamber of commerce has a role in speaking up for Cranbourne businesses and the wider community on matters that affect us all. The public consultation closed on 16 March. Casey council, I understand, will seek endorsement to adopt the project, and the hub is said to open in 2029. Casey council has a meeting today, with local ratepayers, residents and businesses going to be locked out, which does not effectively allow public transparency, consultation or expression of local sentiment on issues that impact the community.