General News
18 September, 2025
Community backs Tower Park staying in local hands
Dimboola's beloved Tower Park has a clear path forward, with the community expressing strong support for it to remain in their hands.
This consensus emerged from a community meeting hosted by the Dimboola Lions Club, where options for the park's future were discussed.
Committee member La Vergne Lehmann confirmed the public's desire for community ownership.
"Ideally, people wanted it to be the council to purchase it," she said.
"However, as we know, the council has already declined the offer and do not appear to have changed their position.
"We determined that the best way forward was to set up a new not-for-profit group - Tower Park Inc."
Ms Lehmann said the incorporated group would auspice the purchase of the park, fundraise for the park purchase, manage the park into the future, and run events, such as the market, at the park, while also being responsible for the costs associated with the park, including insurance, water, and rates.
"While other community groups, including the Lions Club, had been approached to purchase the site, it was felt by most groups that, given the aging demographic and difficulties in getting volunteers to undertake core activities, taking on an additional responsibility was too much for them," Ms Lehmann said.
"There were also several issues around maintaining the site and future maintenance costs that were dispelled as they were largely associated with council ownership rather than private ownership."
The proposal has been put to the current site owner, Graeme Schnider, who is willing to work with the new group to complete the purchase.
"We will be looking for initial members to assist with establishing the group and fundraising to finalise the purchase of the park," Ms Lehmann said.
"We want positive people who are solely focused on getting the park purchased through fundraising and finalising the sale initially."
The Dimboola Arts Inc already has $25,000 to contribute towards the purchase, and other groups and individuals will be approached to contribute.
Anyone interested in contributing to the committee of management or assisting with funds for the purchase should contact Ms Lehmann on 0408 121 118 or