Re-think is rejected

By Casey Neill
KNOX Council CEO Graeme Emonson has rejected calls from councillor Peter Cole to rethink the Eastern Recreation Precinct’s funding and features.
Last week Cr Cole slammed the council’s two per cent rate rise and ‘narrow’ uses for the Wantirna South sporting hub’s $27.65 million first stage, which includes six basketball courts and a 3500-seat show court.
“The centre should be available and attractive to every member of the community, not just those who play basketball and soccer,” he said.
Cr Cole called for a library, computers and community meeting rooms.
“This would provide a much better return on the ratepayers’ investment,” he said.
But Mr Emonson said councillors ruled out the additional facilities by approving the first stage at their 19 May meeting.
Cr Cole also urged the council to investigate inviting neighbouring councils to contribute.
“After all, the precinct will be used by the wider community, not just Knox ratepayers,” he said.
Cr Cole said Knox already had joint funding agreements on services such as libraries and waste disposal.
“The idea of co-operation between municipalities is very much the future direction for local government,” he said.
But Mr Emonson rejected the proposal. “There are no plans to seek the financial support of other local government authorities, in the same way other local governments have not sought contributions from Knox for their facilities.”
Neighbouring councils confirmed they would not seek funding from other councils for their projects.
City of Casey CEO Mike Tyler said the shire would provide a regional athletics complex and other facilities at Casey Fields and a regional gridiron facility in Endeavour Hills.
“Most councils would provide some items of regional sporting infrastructure,” he said.
“It is not considered feasible to run a ledger with debits and credits across the various municipalities for the regional infrastructure they might each provide.”
Monash mayor Paul Klisaris pointed out his municipality was also home to regional and state-level facilities.