SEE WHAT’S NEW AT CASEY’S CONNECTED LIBRARIES

Your local library has a new name –Connected Libraries.

After Cardinia Shire partnered with Myli - My Community Library in December 2022 for their library service, we needed to come up with a new trading name for Casey’s libraries and so we asked the local community for their ideas.

We received more than 750 responses and many of those suggestions included the words ‘connected’ or ‘connect’ - so we listened.

Connected Libraries is now the name of your local library service, which has branches in Bunjil Place, Cranbourne, Doveton, Endeavour Hills and Hampton Park, and there’s an exciting new brand to go with it. City of Casey Administrator Miguel Belmar, who is a member of the library Board, said it was a perfect name.

“We believe Connected Libraries reflects our local library service, which is modern, forward thinking and focuses on connecting people with information and each other,” he said.

“We are excited about the future of lifelong learning in Casey, where every citizen has equal opportunity to learn, grow and connect with others.”

Libraries are not just a place to discover stories but where people can come together, connect, create, and thrive. Libraries have transformed and are now adaptable spaces that inspire innovation and collaboration. The programs and activities run at Connected Libraries are bold, innovative and responsive to the diverse needs of our community.

Find out what’s on at your local library by heading into the branch or see the new Connected Libraries website connectedlibraries.org.au.

City Of Casey Welcomes Ibac Operation Sandon Report

The City of Casey has welcomed the release of the Independent BroadBased Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) Operation Sandon report and will continue to work with IBAC, the Victorian Government and other relevant agencies to strengthen integrity in Council decision making and promote transparency.

The report makes 34 recommendations regarding the State’s planning processes designed to promote transparency in decision making, enhance donation and lobbying regulation and strengthen Council governance.

Since the dismissal of Councillors in February 2020, and in line with the Casey Municipal Monitor’s report also released at that time, Council has been focused on delivering reforms that uphold integrity and transparency through clear, contemporary policies and decision-making.

A great deal of work has already occurred to reform Council’s processes and to ensure clarity around responsibilities and decision making, including in planning matters. This includes:

• reviewing governance and integrity systems at the City of Casey

• setting out a clear governance audit and action plan

• endorsing a new protocol and policy for Councillors and their role in land-use planning

• developing a new policy to guide strategic planning scheme amendment requests from proponents/developers

• reviewed delegations to ensure they are appropriate

• embedding conflict of interest obligations.

In April 2021, Council also launched an annual Community Leadership Program to provide free training for new, emerging and existing community leaders in Casey who want to build their leadership skills, learn about community engagement and local government, and to become leaders within the community. Sixty participants have already graduated from the first two rounds of the program and a further group of 30 are currently taking part.

A formal response to the IBAC report and recommendations are available on Council’s website.