Cr Shane Taylor for City of Casey - Kowan Ward

I’m really excited to share that applications for the 2026 Casey Business Awards are now open!

These awards are one of my favourite things we do each year because they shine a light on the hardworking local businesses that make our community so great.

Whether you’re a micro business, bringing fresh ideas to the table, leading the way on sustainability, or just delivering incredible customer service every single day, this is your chance to be recognised.

It’s completely free to enter, and if you’re running a business in Casey, you should definitely throw your hat in the ring. Our community would love to celebrate you!

Applications close Sunday 5 July, so don’t leave it too late.

Register here: https://businessincasey.com.au/casey-business-awards-2026

During National Volunteer Week, the Community Services team brought everyone together to honour the amazing volunteers who keep Casey connected for our 2026 Volunteer Recognition Event. These generous people give their time, care and compassion every day to help older residents and vulnerable neighbours stay independent and less lonely.

A real highlight was celebrating our long-serving champions:
• 10 years: David Talbot & Lorraine Macredie
• 15 years: Janette Pike
• 40 years: Diana Heath
• 45 years: Margaret Sansom

45 years of service… That’s incredible dedication!

Huge thanks to all our volunteers. Casey is a better place because of you.

I know a lot of you are frustrated with this glass bin rollout. At Tuesday night’s council meeting, we made sure the community’s frustration was heard loud and clear about the State Government forcing glass-only kerbside bins on us.

We couldn’t stop the rollout, but I was pleased that my fellow councillors backed Deputy Mayor Cr Michelle Crowther’s Alternate Motion to fight for you and ease the financial hit on Casey families.

Here’s what we’re pushing for:

- Allow Councils the flexibility to pick the best and most affordable glass recycling solution for our residents.

- Expanding the Container Deposit Scheme to include wine & spirit bottles (like nearly every other state), better recycling at a fraction of the cost.

- Consider other possible measures to reduce the extra cost to households.

We understand that glass recycling is important, but why is the State Government making us use the most expensive option? It just doesn’t make sense, especially under current financial pressures families are facing.

What are your thoughts on this rollout?

🌙 Lighting up Berwick Springs for our community

Great to see Berwick Springs Recreation Reserve included in Council’s Active After Dark program.

With the lights on during the evenings, this is a simple but effective way to make our local spaces safer and more inviting – giving residents more opportunities to stay active and connected over the winter months.

📍 Berwick Springs Recreation Reserve (Netball) �22 Ashmore Avenue, Narre Warren South

Whether it’s a walk, some casual exercise or spending time outdoors with family and friends, everyone is welcome. No bookings required – just head down and enjoy the space.

I encourage everyone in Kowan Ward to make the most of this great initiative.

👉 Find out more: https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/active-after-dark

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mums across our community.

Whether you’re the one holding everything together with a smile, the quiet strength behind your family, or the one who’s always there with a listening ear… Today we celebrate you. Thank you for the love, the sacrifices, and the countless unseen things you do every single day.

Wishing you a beautiful, restful day filled with the appreciation you deserve. ❤️

A solemn and moving dawn service at Hampton Park this ANZAC Day.

The community turned out in strong numbers for a beautifully organised and respectful commemoration.

Thank you to the Hampton Park Progress Association Inc for continuing to hold this important event each year. It means a great deal to our local community.

Lest We Forget. 🇦🇺

Today, we pause as a community to remember.

On this ANZAC Day, we honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of all Australian and New Zealand men and women who have served our country — past and present.

More than a century on from Gallipoli, the ANZAC spirit continues to live on in the values we share: resilience, mateship, and looking out for one another.

Here in the City of Casey, we are proud to stand alongside our local RSLs and veterans, remembering those who gave so much, and ensuring their legacy is never forgotten.

Lest we forget. 🌺

It was a real honour to be the MC on Wednesday night for the official opening of the Grices Road Recreation Reserve Pavilion in Berwick.

This project is something our community can genuinely be proud of. It is a modern, well designed space that will support local sport, bring people together, and serve our growing community for many years to come.

We were joined by Mayor Stefan Koomen, Cr Anthony Walter, Cr Melinda Ambros, Lee Tarlamis MP and Michael Galea MP to mark the occasion and celebrate what has been achieved through strong collaboration between Council and the State Government.

The upgraded pavilion is home to Berwick Churches Soccer Club and Berwick Strikers Cricket Club, featuring a large multipurpose space, new servery, undercover spectator area, additional storage, and improved amenities that make the space more functional and welcoming for everyone who uses it.

This is a meaningful investment in local sport and community life, and it was fantastic to see so many people there to celebrate the opening.

Looking forward to seeing this space buzzing with activity in the months and years ahead.

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JUST IN:
The proposed Hampton Park Waste Transfer Station has been rejected by VCAT.
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