General News
29 August, 2023
Lease renewed for Cobden Pioneer Park
CORANGAMITE Shire Council voted to renew a lease for the Dairy Theme Pioneer Park in Cobden.
CORANGAMITE Shire Council voted to renew a lease for the Dairy Theme Pioneer Park in Cobden.
The lease with Progressing Cobden for the park was renewed for a further five-year term.
Shire property officer Wendy Williamson said the aim of the Cobden Pioneer Park was to preserve the history of the Cobden and Heytesbury region which has a strong link to the dairy, timber and general agricultural industries.
“The lease of the land originally commenced in 1998 for the purpose of the operation of the Dairy Theme Park which included a term of five years and four lease options of five years each,” she said in her report to council.
“The current agreement and rental are both based on an historical lease document which was created in 1998 and has an annual rental of $66.”
The park forms part of the Cobden Racecourse Reserve which was purchased by the Heytesbury Council from the Cobden Turf Club in 1983 for $10,000 under the condition:
• The land would be developed and used for future recreational needs of Cobden and district;
• The land would not be resold; and
• Provision would be made for a horse training track in any development.
Ms Williamson said there would be an annual rental fee of $104 for the site.
Councillors unanimously supported the lease renewal.
Cr Kate Makin said the aim of the Cobden Pioneer Park was to preserve the history of the Cobden and Heytesbury region.
“It was established in 1988 and the Cobden Pioneer Park has accumulated a collection of buildings and historic artefacts,” she said.
“It’s really important to help the young generation coming through to inform them what our fathers and grandfathers went through.
“It’s a really important education tool.”
Cr Makin said she was pleased council was continuing the lease.
“It’s (the park) really important to the Cobden community and the wider community,” she said.
Cr Jo Beard agreed and said the facility was continuing to grow.
“We are really lucky to have such a place locally for people to go and see the history of what’s happened locally,” she said.
“I think more and more people are appreciating that as the years go by.”