By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE tug-of-war over the push for a new men’s shed in Casey is showing no signs of dissipating.
Casey’s Councillor Rafal Kaplon has hit back at former councillor Rob Wilson as the pair continue to push rival bids to set up a men’s shed in either Narre Warren North or Endeavour Hills.
Casey Council last month unanimously passed a motion raised by Cr Kaplon to look at funding options for a new men’s shed in the region, and last week resolved to host a meeting with key players.
Council’s move comes with the backing of the Berwick Men’s Shed in Akoonah Park as the State Government is set to provide $60,000 in funding for community groups to use towards new men’s sheds.
But Mr Wilson has also announced plans to set up a men’s shed in the same area, in a separate bid.
Mr Wilson has said the Narre Warren North Cricket Club would auspice the application for his new men’s shed, which is also earmarked for Endeavour Hills or Narre Warren North.
But in an email response sent on 16 March to Mr Wilson and Star News, Cr Kaplon said Mr Wilson’s project did not meet the City of Casey’s “wider aspirations”.
“As council’s unanimously supported proposal is seeking to develop a more broadly based Men’s Shed for the north of the municipality, Cr (Rosalie) Crestani and I, do not support providing council funds for a project which does not meet council’s wider aspirations,” Cr Kaplon said.
“Furthermore, due to changes in state legislation ward funds are no longer available to councillors and the budget process for the new financial year has already concluded.”
In his own email sent to Casey Council and the media on 15 March seeking support, Mr Wilson said he was after a $2000 government grant for a shed to be set up at the Narre Warren North Recreation Reserve.
“We have a core group of men that we currently bring together via Over 60 and Over 68s outdoor cricket and we aim to open up a Men’s Shed that will meet the social and recreational needs of older men in Endeavour Hills and Narre Warren North,” he said.
“We currently have several community partnerships with local groups who will refer men to this Recreational Men’s Shed and will also partner with various local Scouts groups to make the recreational facilities available to them to assist with their programs.”
