Council commits to park plans

“As part of developing our broader open spaces strategy, we have been seeking community feedback on all public spaces, including the Punt Rd precinct,” he said.

He said the valuable input will help shape a future plan for the site, ensuring it meets the needs and aspirations of residents.

“We know how much the community really values this space,” he said.

“While no formal long-term plans have been made, we are also exploring options for the site over the next few years.

“In the immediate term, our focus is on remediation work, and over the next few months we’ll develop a plan of works that we can roll out over the next 2 to 3 years which is likely to include the removal of old infrastructure, and to transform the site into a safe, accessible green space for passive recreation.

“Beyond that, we will assess infrastructure needs based on community feedback and continue working closely with key groups to guide the site’s future development.”

Community consultation on the future of the park closed in May last year, and residents have been left wondering what will become of the space.

Cobram Barooga Apex Club member Liam Gilmour said he was pleased to know the council has made a commitment to ensuring the park remains open to the public.

“We’ve worked hard over the last seven years to make sure it stays an open space. There’s been a lot of work and passion put into it,” he said.

“It’s definitely something that I think a lot of the community will be happy that the council is working towards.”

The momentum gained by local groups including the Cobram Barooga Apex Club, Cobram Community Enterprise and Cobram Rotary came to a head in 2021, when the park was officially re-opened to the public.

In February 2025, the park steering committee - comprised of representatives from the Apex club, Cobram Community Enterprise and Cobram Rotary - met with the council to discuss the future of the park.

Mr Gilmour said that while the project has been a long time coming, he appreciated the council had other major projects in the works.

“It’s been at a bit of a standstill for the last seven years since 2018, when we first started jumping up and down about it,” he said.

“And as much as I would like to see this project up and going in the next few months, I’m realistic.”

He said it would be good to see the council commit funding in its next budget for the park’s maintenance.

“Even if it’s not a lot of money, committing to ongoing maintenance and progressive works would be good,” he said.

“It would be great to see it useable and inviting.”

According to the council’s website, the development of the Punt Rd Precinct Masterplan is on hold.

Moira Shire Council CEO Matthew Morgan said any formal planning for the long-term future use of the Punt Rd site would begin once council finalises and adopts its Open Space Strategy, which will happen later in 2025.

“However, we will prepare a shorter term (two to three year) plan for remediation of the site, and we aim to have that completed by the end of May,” he said.

“Funding will be allocated in future council budgets, once planning has been carried out to scope required works and their costings, which will include the possibility of selling the house blocks on Campbell Rd to help fund remediation works, as well as applying for grant funding that may become available.”