BALLA Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler said placing one of three giant fish sculptures, acquired by Casey Council from the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, at Tooradin would help tourism in the area.
A total of 71 sculptures were designed to reflect a species of fish from each of the member nations of the Commonwealth and received incredible exposure during the Games.
Casey Council has secured the roach representing England, dolphin representing Malta, and the leather back turtle representing St Lucia.
Cr Butler said the dolphin would be well recognised as part of the games and would be at Tooradin for all to see.
The dolphin will be at the entrance to the new Ron Mantel Walk at Tooradin foreshore, which is due to be officially opened and named on Saturday, 4 November.
The dolphin will be erected later.
Cr Butler said tourism was what kept Tooradin going.
He said the foreshore of a Sunday and on public holidays was full of families.
“This is something big for Tooradin and for the City of Casey,” he said.
River Gum Ward councillor Janet Halsall said during debate at the Tuesday, 3 October council meeting that she was a member of the Casey Arts and Culture Reference Group and commended acquisition of the fish.
The roach sculpture is to be located at the new Cranbourne Aquatic and Leisure Centre, due to open in late 2008, and the leather back turtle will be placed near the Casey ARC in Narre Warren.
Springfield Ward councillor Lorraine Wreford asked that the turtle be placed between the ARC and the pondage, where it could be seen from the road. Jim Mynard