The Jaycee Park project stems from the Kyabram Place-Based Plan, a community-focused plan to guide the Kyabram Development Committee in achieving the community’s vision for the town.
The plans have not been released for public comment since initial engagement in July 2025 when residents were encouraged to have their say in shaping the future of the precinct.
Council director communities Jo Bradshaw said during the consultation period, council received 581 survey responses, engaged with 40 people at pop‑up sessions and held seven stakeholder meetings.
Community feedback from initial engagement revealed concerns about functionality, ageing infrastructure and the spread of buildings and fences making the area difficult to navigate and monitor.
Put forward by Cr Jessica Mitchell, the proposed motion up for discussion resolved to place the Jaycee Park Draft Plan on public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days, undertake consultation and receive a progress report outlining reasons for delays, impacts, timeline and risks.
Speaking on behalf of the Kyabram Development Committee at the March 17 meeting, secretary Renee Pichler supported the motion, urging councillors to release the draft plan to the public, given that the consultation phase had been completed.
“The residents of Kyabram deserve the opportunity to review the outcome of the public consultation undertaken for the redevelopment of Jaycee Park,” she said.
Ms Pichler said Kyabram residents deserved to be informed of the reasons behind the delays and the “apparent” shift in direction from a “regional park”, as outlined in the Kyabram Place-Based Plan, to a “district-level park”.
A question was then posed to Ms Pichler by Cr Paul Jarman surrounding the expectation of timeline regarding the plans.
Ms Pichler said the development committee was supposed to review the draft plans in October, with the plans to be released now for public comment, as per the original timeline.
The discussion then turned to the councillors, with the motion to approve the plans moved by Cr Mitchell, and seconded by Cr Adrian Weston.
Speaking to the motion, Cr Mitchell said releasing the draft plan was to ensure council continued on the journey together with Kyabram residents and ensured that past mistakes were not repeated by losing touch with the community and their needs.
“If there is an appetite to look at other sites, why would we not have that discussion with the experts ― the residents who actually live there?” she said.
“Importantly, placing the draft plan on exhibition does not mean council is making a final decision about the future of the site.”
Also in support, Cr Zoe Cook said it was in line with the intent of council to put out a draft master plan and to undertake the appropriate consultation with the community once that plan was put out.
Speaking against the motion, Cr Rob Amos referenced the Echuca East Reserve redevelopment as an example of similar plans taking a long time to complete from start to finish.
“I understand it's frustrating, but what we want to do is make sure that what is put in place will be right for the Kyabram community for the next 30 to 50 years,” he said.
“It's not trying to get something done in the next year or two to get it rushed so it's not right.”
Also against the motion, Cr Tony Marwood said council did not close its eyes to what was best for Kyabram in 50 years’ time, but there was a lot of council property that needed careful consideration.
Cr Jarman said releasing the plan “chews up resources” in getting the bigger picture under way.
When put to the vote, the motion passed 5-4, with Crs Mitchell, Cook, Weston, John Zobec and Luke Sharrock voting in support, while Crs Amos, Daniel Mackrell, Jarman and Marwood voted against.
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