Casey Council to lead $13m Croskell intersection upgrade works
The State Government has maintained Casey Council as the lead agency for more than $13 million in intersection upgrades in the Croskell Employment Precinct, despite the council’s opposition to overseeing projects on state arterial roads.
The Croskell Employment Precinct Structure Plan (PSP), officially gazetted on 13 March by the State Government, shows that Casey Council has been retained as the lead agency for coordinating the five intersection upgrades along Thompsons Road, Berwick-Cranbourne Road and Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road.
According to the Croskell Employment Infrastructure Contributions Plan, the total cost of those intersections would come to more than $13 million.
Casey Council is also appointed as the lead agency for the intersection upgrade of Linsell Boulevard and Casey Fields Boulevard, which has been priced at $2.2 million. Linsell Blvd has been classified as a potential future declared arterial road in the gazetted Cranbourne East PSP.
The official appointment came years after Casey Council publicly urged the State Government to take over responsibility for those works, arguing arterial roads fall under state control and should be funded and delivered accordingly.
“This will ensure that the council will not be put in a position to fund shortfalls in the cost of project delivery, which could divert funds from vital community projects,” City of Casey’s then-Manager Growth and Investment Kathryn Seirlis told Star News in 2024.
In response to the State Government’s appointment, City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen reiterated the Council’s position, stressing that major roads remain a state responsibility.
“We know how important better roads are for our growing community. State-declared arterial roads (major roads) are the responsibility of the Victorian Government, and they are in charge of planning, approving and delivering these upgrades,” he said.
“Council will pass on funds collected through the Infrastructure Contributions Plan to developers to help them deliver intersection works in the Croskell Employment Precinct.
“However, we will not deliver these projects directly or use ratepayers’ money to fund them.
“We will keep standing up for our community by advocating to the State Government to make sure these important road upgrades are delivered on time, are properly coordinated, and funded by the right level of government.”
When asked why Casey Council was retained as the lead agency despite its earlier opposition, a State Government spokesperson said: “New road projects are included in the Croskell Infrastructure Contribution Plan – these projects are fully funded.”
They also advised that throughout the project, the State Government had worked closely with the City of Casey.
Following gazettal, the City of Casey will be responsible for implementing the Precinct Structure Plan via assessment of planning permit applications.
Delivery of the precinct will see the extension of Casey Fields Boulevard from Linsell Boulevard to Thompsons Road and create five new connections onto Thompsons Road, Narre Warren Cranbourne Road and Berwick Cranbourne Road via new signalised intersections.
Croskell Employment Precinct, spanning across 317 hectares, is expected to deliver more than 6800 jobs in sectors including manufacturing, logistics, clean tech, recycling, retail and commercial.
Under the Infrastructure Contributions Plan, developers are required to contribute funding toward shared infrastructure such as roads and intersections. Councils are typically named as the development agency responsible for coordinating delivery.
Casey Council has consistently pushed back on that model when it comes to state roads.
During consultation on the Casey Fields South Employment and Devon Meadows PSP, Cranbourne Gardens Ward Cr Michelle Crowther pointed to the South Gippsland Highway and Ballarto Road Roundabout as an example of the financial risks involved.
The roundabout construction exceeded its original $11 million budget by roughly $2 million, with significant delays for completion.
At the time, Council also revealed delays with VicRoads due to design change requirements as well as ongoing State Government projects in the area.
To read the Croskell Employment PSP, visit: vpa.vic.gov.au/project/croskell/
By Violet Li
Source: CRANBOURNE STAR NEWS
