General News
3 July, 2026
Negotiations to commence for Jaycee Park lease
LEASE term negotiations are set to commence in the coming weeks after Corangamite Shire Council voted to authorise the chief executive officer or a delegate to discuss terms with Sunnyside House at this week’s council meeting.
Councillors unanimously moved for discussion on a number of terms for the leasing of part of Jaycee Park on Manifold Street, including the lease area and permitted use, lease term and any option periods, lease rental amount, maintenance and asset responsibilities, development, landscaping and environmental requirements, and community access and public safety considerations.
As The Camperdown Chronicle reported in March this year, Sunnyside House is seeking to lease the park and convert a portion of the park into car parking and a fire services equipment storage area.
The lease forms part of the facility’s plan to expand and introduce 16 new dementia care beds as well as a new community wellbeing centre.
Jaycee Park, which is council-owned land, consists of 1.32 hectares and features a playground, bench seating and picnic tables.
Sunnyside House’s plans for the park do not include these areas.
Council administration officer Nicole Kinnersly said 21 responses were received through community consultation, including an online survey and an onsite meeting earlier this year.
Concerns included the loss of parkland as the community grows, potential impacts on flora and fauna from carpark construction and concerns about safety due to the proximity of the proposed carpark to the playground.
However, feedback also highlighted Jaycee Park is currently underutilised, recognised the need for additional dementia care beds in Camperdown and suggested the carpark will benefit local residents by allowing cars to be relocated off the street.
“In addressing the key themes identified, all feedback received through the consultation phase will be tabled with Sunnyside House and will need to be considered as part of the design phase of the project,” Ms Kinnersly said.
“Responses to the feedback could include designing infrastructure to minimise loss of flora, safety fencing included around the infrastructure and ensuring that the footprint of the development is minimised to maintain access to open space.
“An activation clause can also be included within the lease agreement to ensure that any development proceeds in a suitable timeframe.”
Councillor Geraldine Conheady moved the motion, saying the project was “hugely important” in the aged care sector and in Camperdown.
“We all know that demand in the age care sector is increasing, and the addition of 16 dementia care beds and the establishment of a dedicated wellness centre to enhance care outcomes is important not just Camperdown, but the whole shire,” she said.
“This project will enhance care for our aged residents and supply safe parking for workers and visitors.
“It’s an opportunity not often available.
“I do respect the concerns that have been raised by members of the community, but I believe that those concerns can be largely managed and the impact on the park is acceptable when balanced with the benefits significant benefits to the community.”
Deputy mayor Cr Laurie Hickey seconded the motion.
“Jaycee was a very active service club way back in the day in Camperdown and I think that it would be very supportive of the fact that 16 new dementia beds could be the result of leasing this land to Sunnyside House,” he said.
“There are certainly concerns around the impact on fauna and flora around the area, the loss of green space and parklands around Camperdown.
“Fortunately, we’re somewhat blessed with the amount of green space we do have and the loss of the small area – a third of the area that would be occupied by the development at Sunnyside – would certainly be outweighed by the great benefit that it will have when the 16 dementia beds have been developed.”
Cr Nick Cole said he was “all in favour” of the planned negotiations.
“We need to encourage all these facilities right across the state,” he said.
“They’re in short supply everywhere and we’ve got as chance to increase the beds in the area.
“Definitely a car park would help alleviate some pressure around that area and free up some land in the Sunnyside precinct to build those extra rooms.
“It will be a great thing.”
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