Mayoral Column 5th March 2021

Published on 05 March 2021

Gift Card Initiative a Boost for Local Economy

A new initiative designed to boost the local economy and encourage local shopping has seen the Goulburn Mulwaree Council, the Goulburn Chamber of Commerce and Regional Development Australia Southern Inland combine their talents to create an innovative new Goulburn gift card.

This week I joined Darrell Weekes (President Chamber of Commerce) and Carisa Wells (CEO of RDA Southern Inland) to launch the Shop 2580 cards. The cards will be rolled out in the coming months, with businesses being encouraged to register their interest now for the program. Shop 2580 gift cards will be able to be purchased at a number of stores in the City.

Amounts from $10 to $1,000 can be loaded on to the card and that money can then be spent at EFTPOS terminals at 90 stores in the City, with this number to be expanded if demand from businesses is high.

 As a Council we have been looking for ways in which to support local businesses, and we felt that the Shop 2580 gift cards would be a brilliant program to combine with other organisations on to roll out.”

We hope that instead of buying a gift for your family or friends online, you may instead choose to buy a Shop 2580 card that will support local businesses. It’s a great way for big businesses in the region to also support others – I hope you may choose to reward employees with a Shop 2580 gift card in future!

At this stage Council, the Chamber and RDA are targeting a launch date for the program in April 2021.

Businesses who are members of the Chamber of Commerce are able to sign up for free, while businesses who aren’t members but would still like to be involved are welcome and are able to join for just $120.

Hume Highway Upgrades – Marulan

I was concerned following a recent meeting with Transport for NSW where we were updated on Hume Highway upgrades around the Marulan area. The project itself is essential to keeping the highway in good condition, but we were concerned that community consultation has not begun with residents.

The project is expected to commence in June, and will last 18 months. We have concerns that homes in Marulan may be affected by noise, dust and light spill around the project sites, and we believe community consultation with the residents of Marulan and these homeowners’ needs to be undertaken urgently.

The actual daily times of work have yet to be finalised, but the contract will allow for work to be undertaken between 12am Monday to 12pm Friday. Transport for NSW have stated they will be able to delay works on public holidays or if they are aware of a large event that will attract high traffic usage on the Hume Highway. Transport for NSW have also stated that they will undertake dilapidation reports on heritage homes in Marulan and will maintain access to Marulan from the Highway at all times.

Although access to Marulan will be maintained, we also have concerns around the effects on access to the quarrying industry which is a significant contributor to our economy and employment.

Council has real concerns that the main tender is about to be advertised, and we are now just three months away from the start of this work, with no consultation with the community being undertaken.

As we receive further information we intend to share this with the community as soon as possible.

Agreement in-principle for sale to NSW Police

On Tuesday night Council resolved to advise NSW Police that Council agreed in principle to sell the property ‘as is’ for the market value as determined by a February valuation, plus $50,000 plus GST, with the objective of achieving fair market value for the property and net nil cost to the community.

Negotiations will now continue, with a report to come back to Council at the 19th April meeting with the result of sale negotiations and a recommendation to proceed or otherwise with the sale.

General Manager Warwick Bennett and I will also continue with negotiations and consultation with current tenants of the Bourke Street property regarding options for relocation. The premises currently houses twelve local user groups including U3A Goulburn Mulwaree, Goulburn Gem Society and the Goulburn Arts Society. A recently emerging option for relocation is the Railway Administrative Buildings in Sloane Street, with a lease for this space now being negotiated.

These buildings have the potential to be a great option for community use – they are central to the CBD, have close public transport nearby and plenty of parking. Council may need to spend some money to upgrade the buildings in order to activate the area, but we think we can achieve a great result. So far the in-principle agreement with ARTC is for a long term lease at a peppercorn rent.

A new Police Station in Goulburn will operate as a major regional hub facility, accommodating approximately 150 staff. It will also be another large investment by the NSW Government, and Council wants to ensure it occurs in our City. They have conducted an extensive search of Goulburn to find the location for the new police station, which will service the Hume Police District. They have settled on the Bourke Street site as their preference due its close proximity to the CBD and Court House, excellent access to the Hume Highway and the size of the block being large enough to build the station and provide parking for fleet vehicles.

I want to ensure the community and current user groups of Bourke Street that we will keep them updated every step of the way, and want the best outcome for all involved.

Other Council Meeting Results

• 22 Hurst Street development application

  I know this has been a very contentious development application within our community, and I am satisfied that our planning staff have done a good job in ensuring consultation, while still following all planning legislation.

  Council refused this development application as it does not promote good design and amenity of built environment, does not promote orderly and economic use and dvelopment of land in the area, does not address effects the development will have in respect to heritage conservation and heritage significance of the site and locality. The full details of Council’s reasoning are available to view in the minutes.

• 29 lot residential subdivision – Hovell Street, Goulburn

  Consent was granted for a boundary adjustment and 29 lot residential subdivision located in Hovell Street subject to a number of conditions. This development is occurring on Council owned land.

• Request for SEARS – Gunlake Quarry Continuation

  Council will make a submission to the Department of Planning & Environment seeking to include a number of matters regarding  an independent structural assessment of the haulage route pavement, an independent road safety audit, and a number of other issues which are available to view in the minutes

• Short term lease of the Council Irrigation Farm

  ARW Multigroup were awarded short term lease of this site being for up to 5 years, however Council has reserved the right to cancel the lease with six months notice. Staff will continue to liaise with the company who submitted an additional confidential commercial proposal in regards to State Government deliberations and any site investigation work.

• Tender – Wollondilly River Walkway

  The next stage of this project will see 1.3km of shared path from Lower Sterne Street to Cemetery Street. The tender was awarded to Denrith Pty Ltd for $352,177.

• Internal Borrowing – Performing Arts Centre

  Council will apply to the Minister for Local Government for approval to borrow $6.3 million internally and equally from the unrestricted Water Fund & Sewer Fund Reserves. The loan will be repaid from the General Fund by way of quarterly instalments over a term of 15 years at an interest rate of 1.25%.

• Parking Restrictions – Cowper Street
  Council resolved that no parking restrictions be imposed in Cowper Street following public consultation with residents of the street. However staff will increase monitoring of the parking restrictions and ensure vehicles are parked legally.