Community
2 April, 2026
Council to seek feedback on lease
COUNCILLORS voted to seek public feedback on a planned lease of Camperdown’s Jaycee Park at last week’s Ordinary Meeting of Council.
The motion was moved unanimously to prepare to seek consultation on the lease of the park on Manifold Street to the neighbouring Sunnyside House.
Sunnyside House’s aged care facility is seeking to expand and introduce 16 new dementia care beds as well as a community wellbeing centre.
To enable the expansion, the facility is seeking to lease Jaycees Park and convert part of the park into car parking and a fire services equipment.
The existing playground and additional green area will not be impacted by the expansion.
Councillor Nick Cole moved the motion, saying the Corangamite Shire needed every aged care room it could get due to the lack of facilities in the area.
“They’re keen to bite the bullet and do the expansions,” he said.
“They need some more land, mainly for car parking – they’re not going to build any structures on top of Jaycee Park as far as I can understand.
“I’m old enough to remember when it was a tip – that’s now a park, so it’s doing a good job.
“Most of the park will still be available to people to walk through, so it’ll still be an accessible green space for people.”
Under the Local Government Act 2020, council may grant leases for a maximum of 50 years.
Director works and services Shaun Broadbent said Sunnyside House, which has been operating since 2001, was willing to work with council to facilitate the lease.
“Access to the park is essential for the design and scale of the development,” he said.
“Sunnyside House has indicated a willingness to work with council on the future management and maintenance of the park and may assume responsibility while ownership remains with council.
“Council consideration is requested on the lease of Jaycee Park to support the facility expansion and associated infrastructure.”
Councillor Laurie Hickey seconded the motion, saying the aged care facility was “dearly beloved” by the community.
“The request of a lease of Jaycee Park makes good sense,” he said.
“The lease will improve their offering and also contribute to their positive ageing, accessibility and inclusion program.
“We’ll go to those public consultations and hopefully there will be a good outcome for them.”
Community consultation on the proposed lease will likely commence within the coming weeks.
Read More: Camperdown