After a week of backlash from Kyabram community members sparked more debate over the future of Jaycee Park, the Kyabram community has had enough of the decade-long wait.

A rally was held at Jaycee Park on Wednesday, August 6, organised by the Kyabram Development Committee in response to the outcome of Campaspe Shire Council’s July 21 decision to tie the Jaycee Park masterplan to a strategic plan yet to be developed.

Following a defeated motion of rescission at an unscheduled council meeting held the day prior, community members expressed disappointment over the council’s decision.

KDC secretary Renee Pichler spoke at the rally, which saw about 100 families and community members turn up to advocate for their children who have waited “long enough” for a better and safer place to play.

“Jaycee Park is done. It’s worn out. It’s tired. It's not fit for purpose. Every parent knows it. Every child who plays here knows it. Every grandparent who visits knows it,” Ms Pichler said.

“Council knows it too; they’ve listed Jaycee Park for renewal in report after report.”

At the rally, Ms Pichler urged council to stop pushing the project into future planning cycles and endorse stage one of the masterplan as a stand-alone project.

“The stage one plan wasn’t about knocking down anything. It wasn’t about building anything. It was about a beautiful park,” she said.

“It should have always been a standalone project.

“Children have literally grown from toddlers into teens while waiting for this park to be renewed."

Council officers reasoned in the Jaycee Park report attached to the July council meeting agenda that there was insufficient understanding of the full range, scale and types of community facilities required to support the ongoing growth and needs of the Kyabram township.

“Without this comprehensive assessment, there is a risk that decisions made through the draft masterplan may not align with longer-term community infrastructure requirements,” the report said.

“There is, however, an opportunity to consider interim or staged improvements that address immediate community needs, while deferring major long-term decisions until further strategic work is completed.”

KDC vice-president Tania Chiswell said the Kyabram community had “zero trust” in council about completing works at Jaycee Park.

The objective of the rally was to urge local councillors to decouple stage one of the masterplan from the broader, long-term structure plan so that construction can commence without further hold-ups.

“Today, we are calling on councillors to revisit Jaycee Park and endorse stage one of the masterplan as a stand-alone project. Not tied up in long-term structure plans. Not pushed off into the future with an unknown timeline,” Ms Pichler said.

She stressed that the demand was backed by significant local input, noting that over 100 survey responses were received during community consultations, proving the community had already done the legwork.

“Stage one is ready. The draft is done. The community shaped it. The benefits are undeniable," she said.

“It’s time to stop planning and start building.”

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Sunday, 21st August 2033

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