Advocacy explained
In the context of Local Government, advocacy refers to the efforts and actions taken by Council to influence public policy, secure resources, and address the needs and interests of their communities.
The City of Casey advocates for the funding and delivery of essential services and infrastructure that our growing region needs, as well as legislative reform at the state and federal levels in the interest of our community.
How we advocate
There are several ways Council advocates, including lobbying State and Federal Governments, collaborating with other Councils, engaging with community groups and stakeholders, raising awareness about local issues to drive positive change, and ensuring that the voices of Casey’s residents are heard and considered in decision-making processes.
What we are currently advocating for
Transformational Infrastructure
- Thompsons Road upgrade and extension
With the population of the Casey Cardinia region predicted to reach almost 700,000 residents by 2036, prioritising the extension of Thompsons Road from Berwick-Cranbourne Road in Clyde to Koo Wee Rup Road in Pakenham will support much needed jobs and residential land development.
The upgrade and extension of Thompsons Road would create a high-capacity route from Carrum to Pakenham and would unlock more than 140,000 jobs and increase economic output by billions of dollars.
The City of Casey and Cardinia Shire Council consider the upgrade and extension of Thompsons Road as one of the region’s highest transport priorities. The project would facilitate new commercial and industrial activity and bring private investment to the City of Casey and Cardinia Shire, unlocking thousands of jobs and strengthening the regional economy.
- Clyde Rail Link
The above video is also available in: Dari, Malayalam, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese and Singhalese
Transport infrastructure has not kept up with growth in the City of Casey, leading to increased pressure on local roads and limited options for those without a car. Lack of access to a metropolitan rail line makes it hard for our community to access the jobs, education and services they need. A recent city-wide survey showed overwhelming support for Clyde Rail Link, with 97% of residents supporting the project.
Construction of the much-needed Clyde Rail Link, including new stations at Cranbourne, Cranbourne East, Casey Fields and Clyde, will connect fast growing communities in the south east to essential services and jobs. Once complete, the Clyde Rail Link will provide more transport options and help reduce traffic congestion. The rail corridor to deliver this project already exists and the duplication of the train line to Cranbourne has been completed early so the project simply needs a commitment from the State and Federal governments for the extension to get underway.
- Clyde Road corridor upgrade
Clyde Road corridor is the most dangerous and congested north-south connection in the City of Casey. In the past five years, the population of Clyde and Clyde North has tripled, leading to record car ownership and increased pressure on Casey’s transport network.
As part of a recent city-wide survey, 88% of residents said that road congestion was a major issue in the local area. Overall, 95% said they would have reason to use Clyde Road/Berwick-Cranbourne Road, and 84% consider the upgrade of this corridor important to them.
We’re advocating for a critical upgrade to the Clyde Road Corridor, comprising Clyde Road, Berwick-Cranbourne Road and Clyde-Five Ways Road, to create a safer and more efficient road connection for commuters. The project will involve duplicating up to 14km of arterial road (up to three lanes in each direction), upgrading intersections, creating new shared path connections, bus stops and pedestrian crossings and other upgrades to improve safety and to cater for future growth.
- Women’s Centre of Excellence
The Women’s Centre of Excellence, Casey Fields, will be the premier women’s sporting facility in southeast Melbourne and will be the only rectangular venue capable of hosting elite level competition outside of the Melbourne CBD, holding up to 5,000 spectators. Funding is required to complete and enhance the $43.29 million already invested by the City of Casey and Melbourne City Football Club to develop and construct the precinct. This centre will provide new sporting opportunities for women and girls in soccer, rugby league and rugby union. Council partners of the project include Melbourne City Football Club, Melbourne Storm, Federation University and Casey Warriors.
Other categories
- Services
- Kindergarten/Early Years
- Aged Care
- Mobile phone reception
- Arts and Culture
- Mental Health Supports
- Climate Change Education
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
- Central Immunisation Records Vic
- Roads and transport
- Thompsons Road Extension and Upgrade
- Clyde Rail Link
- Wilson Botanic Park Traffic Lights and Pedestrian Crossing
- Clyde Road Corridor
- Active transport network
- Improving local bus networks
- Hallam Road Flooding
- Victorian Government Roads Maintenance
- Sport and rec
- Women’s Centre of Excellence
- Max Pawsey Reserve
- Edwin Flack Recreation Reserve
- Pearcedale Recreation Reserve
- Tooradin Recreation Reserve
- Strathaird (Ormond) Recreation Reserve
- Courtenay Ave Reserve
- Robert Booth Reserve
- Marjorie Eastick Reserve
- Sydney Pargeter Reserve
- Other
- Alexander Blvd Community Hub
- Cranbourne Hub
- Arthur Wren Hall
- Social and affordable housing
Ongoing projects
- View the list of ongoing projects
Digital connectivity
The City of Casey is home to a growing number of residents living in mobile black spots. Poor mobile coverage is particularly being felt in our fast-growing suburbs of Clyde and Clyde North. The City of Casey is seeking priority roll-out of mobile towers and improved connectivity as part of the Connecting Victoria program.
Jobs and skills in Casey
Locally based training and employment services are needed to help our growing community become ‘job ready’. Currently there are no jobs and skills centres between Dandenong and Warragul which means residents in the fastest growing communities in Melbourne's south east must travel in order access this critical service. Council is seeking an independent or not-for-profit jobs and skills centre to provide employment support services for our growing community. We are also advocating for ongoing funding for the Job Advocates service, which has referred more than 5,000 local residents to employment support services or opportunities in the past 16 months.
Community infrastructure
Funding and support is needed for community infrastructure projects such as recreation facilities and reserves, walking and cycling paths, trails and family and children’s centres to provide our community with access to the services they need.
Early years reforms
The City of Casey is seeking ongoing funding and support to plan for and implement early years reforms beginning in 2023, and to address workforce challenges across the sector.
Our Advocacy Partners
National Growth Areas Alliance (NGAA)
Advocates at the Federal Government level for a stronger focus on the needs of Australia’s fast-growing outer suburbs, home to more than 5 million people.
Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV)
The MAV is a membership association and the legislated peak body for local government in Victoria.
Australian Local Government Association (ALGA)
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is the national voice of local government, representing 537 councils across the country. In structure, they are a federation of state and territory local government associations.
Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM)
Advocates for jobs, infrastructure, investment, livability, sustainability and wellbeing for the southeast and everyone who works and lives in the region. GSEM includes the shires of Cardinia and Mornington Peninsula, and the cities of Casey, Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Kingston, Knox and Monash.
Outer Melbourne Councils (OMC)
The Interface Councils group is made up of the 10 municipalities that form a ring around metropolitan Melbourne, representing 1.6 million residents living in the outer suburbs.
Learn more
Visit our Corporate Planning and Reporting to access the Budget, Action Plan and various key strategies for the City of Casey.