The Council Plan 2021-2025 was created by a community panel to identify priorities for the Council for the next four years. The plan was adopted by the Council in July 2021.

Each year, the Council Plan is implemented through an Annual Action Plan. Once per financial year, the Council must review the current Council Plan and renew the Annual Action Plan and Annual Budget for the following year.

The community is invited to provide feedback on the proposed Annual Action Plan 2024/25. This feedback will inform the Council's consideration and adoption of the Action Plan in June 2024.

Financial documents included in this suite of documents include:

• The Annual Budget 2024-25 which details the services and initiatives to be funded for the next financial year.
• The Schedule of Fees and Charges which outlines the fees and charges associated with the various services Council provides.
• The 10-year Financial Plan that Council uses to make strategic decisions about resource allocation based on financial strategies and performance indicators.

After the Council's initial approval of the proposed Annual Budget 2024-25, Schedule of Fees and Charges and Financial Plan, community members and project stakeholders are encouraged to give feedback on the proposed Budget between 17 April and 8 May 2024, for Council consideration.

Community consultation on the Corporate Suite of Documents follows the Local Government Act 2020 and Council's Engagement Policy 2020.

The Annual Action Plan outlines how the Council will provide services and execute projects for the next year to achieve the strategic objectives of the Council Plan 2021-25. This process is a crucial opportunity for the community to assess how the Council Plan is being implemented.

The proposed Annual Budget 2024-25 is based on the Community Vision 2031, and the Council Plan 2021-2025. The budget, Financial Plan 2024-34 and Schedule of Fees and Charges will fund services and initiatives the Council has committed to delivering.

The proposed budget of $567.4 million will commit the Council to seven key areas of action over the next 12 months:

• Deliver sustainable infrastructure and activate places
• Grow Casey’s current and emerging sectors
• Foster environmentally sustainable practices and work towards being climate ready
• Advocate to State and Federal Governments for key service and infrastructure delivery
• Create a resilient, active and connected community
• Ensure good governance and transparent decision making
• Create an adaptable, innovative, and financially sustainable organisation that delivers maximum community benefit.

The schedule of works delivered by this budget will be funded by a rate increase of 2.75%, as per the Victorian Government's rate cap. This rate increase is essential to continue providing community services and capital investment.

Approximately 20% of the proposed budget is allocated to deliver vital community infrastructure via $107.3 million in capital works.

This includes: 

• $43.1 million of renewal works 
• $42.3 million of new assets 
• $20.3 million of upgrades to existing facilities 
• $1.7 million to expand existing assets

What we are investing in;

• $47.03 million into Recreational, Leisure and Community facilities 
• $15.9 million into Roads 
• $8.9 million into Parks, Open Space and Streetscapes 
• $4.6 million into Footpaths and Cycleways 
• $2.3 million into Drainage 
• $1.3 million into Bridges

What key initiatives are included in this year’s Annual Budget?

The Annual Budget 2024/25 includes the following key initiatives:

• The renewal of the 50 metre pool at Doveton Pool in the Park: $3,205,122  
• The conversion of street lighting from Mercury V to LED: $2,494,140  
• Springleaf Recreation Reserve, Clyde North: $8,600,000 
• Hardy’s Road Family and Community Centre, Clyde North: $5,400,000 (project in partnership with the State Government). 
• The upgrade of the Tooradin Recreation Reserve Pavilion: $2,846,090 (project in partnership with the State Government).  
• The upgrade of the Strathaird Reserve Pavilion, Narre Warren South: $1,500,000 (project in partnership with the State Government). 
• The upgrade of the Grices Road Recreation Reserve Pavilion, Berwick: $1,521,370 (project in partnership with the State Government). 
• The implementation of the Greening Casey 10-year planting plan: $1,837,410 
• The redevelopment of Ray Bastin Reserve, Narre Warren: $1,682,360 (project in partnership with the State Government). 
• Improvements to Tyabb-Tooradin Road (between South Boundary Road and Baxter-Tooradin Road, Pearcedale): $1,834,000 (project in partnership with the State and Federal Governments via Roads to Recovery Grants). 

What key initiatives are included in this year’s Annual Action Plan?

The Annual Action Plan 2024/25 includes the following key initiatives:

• Casey’s Climate Action Plan
• Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
• Greening Casey 10-year planting plan
• Smart Casey Launchpad Program
• State Government kerbside waste reforms
• Construction of the Hardys Road Community Centre
• Co-design of Cranbourne Community Hub

We're seeking feedback from our community regarding the Proposed Corporate Suite of Documents for 24-25. We want to know if the plans align with the strategic goals outlined in the Council Plan 2021-2025. We also want to know if anything significant needs to be added that we must consider.

What can the community influence?

• Actions outlined in the Annual Action Plan 2024/25 
• Annual Budget 2024/25
• Financial Plan 2024/25 - 2033/34
• Schedule of Fees and Charges to apply in 2024/25.

What can’t the community influence?

• The adopted Community Vision 2031 and Council Plan 2021 – 2025
• Legislative requirement for Council to adopt Annual Budget 2024-25 by 30 June 2024
• Council operations, resource allocation and committed major projects
• Waste charge.

We've selected the following engagement tools and techniques for this project based on the project content, stakeholders, and type of feedback sought.

Key tools for communicating the project

• Casey Conversations project webpage
• email notification to Casey Conversations subscribers and key stakeholder groups
• Council website news and Casey Catch Up e-newsletter
• social media posts
• digital screens at local community centres and Bunjil Place.

Key methods for gathering feedback

• Online engagement via Casey Conversations, including opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback.
• contact details for interested community members to ask for further information or provide anonymous feedback
• correspondence via email or phone
• printed information available, as required.

The Annual Action Plan and Annual Budget 2024-25 is informed by community priorities outlined in the Community Vision 2031 and Council Plan 2021-2025.

Following the close of community engagement on 8 May 2024, community and stakeholder feedback will be considered and amendments made to the proposed Corporate Suite of Documents, if required.

A report on community feedback and the proposed Corporate Suite of Documents will be considered for adoption by Council at its meeting on 28 June 2024.

The agenda for this meeting, including the community engagement report and Council Officer's recommendation in relation to the proposed Corporate Suite of Documents will be published on Council's website on the Wednesday prior to the Council meeting. Project subscribers will be notified when the report is available.

All Council meetings are live-streamed via Council’s website. Interested community members will also have an opportunity to request to be heard at the Special Council meeting on 28 May 2024 and speak to Council at the meeting or provide a written statement which will be published in the meeting agenda.

Under the Local Government Act 2020, Council must adopt an annual budget by 30 June 2024.

Corporate Planning and Performance Team
T: 9705 5200
E: cppr@casey.vic.gov.au