Mayoral Column 12th February 2021

Published on 12 February 2021

Aquatic Centre Feb 2021 (Custom).JPG

Chamber of Commerce

This week I joined the Chamber of Commerce meeting along with Deputy Mayor Peter Walker and GM Warwick Bennett.

We gave an update on Council for the year, including project updates on a number of exciting initiatives such as the hockey facility, where tenders for lighting and field replacement have just been confirmed.

Council continues to have strong success with State and Federal Government funding programs, with grant funding contributions obtained for the Aquatic Centre Redevelopment, Performing Arts Centre, Wollondilly River Walkway and rural road projects such as Mountain Ash Road and the replacement of Towrang Bridge. Our positive working relationships with Angus Taylor and Wendy Tuckerman are certainly benefitting our community.

The Chamber of Commerce membership base is as strong as it has been for a long time, and they are working on a number of exciting projects such as the upcoming ‘Goulburn Expo.’ Council is also joining efforts with the Chamber and Regional Development Australia Southern Inland to launch a Shop2580 Gift Card in the coming months, which will encourage our community to spend locally – keep an eye out for this soon!


Aquatic Centre Redevelopment progress

On Thursday I joined staff and employees of FDC Constructions for a walk around the site where our Aquatic Centre Redevelopment is underway.

Since I last visited the site prior to Christmas there has been significant progress, with the hydrotherapy pool now fully poured, the indoor 25m pool around half completed and concrete panel walls being stood up. There is still plenty of in ground works and earthmoving to be completed, but the project is starting to take shape which is exciting.

Although they have had some wet weather the delays haven’t affected their schedule, and the project is on time and on budget at this stage.

We’ve also had quite a few community members mention that they would like to be able to see in through the big fences to check on the progress, and I’m pleased to say that FDC are going to put some Perspex panels in that will mean you can take a look for yourself as you walk past the pool – keep an eye out for these soon!

Don’t forget that our outdoor pool is still operating as normal, and receiving plenty of use at the moment with the school swimming carnivals on. We are targeting a completion date for the Aquatic Centre Redevelopment in February 2022, meaning we are hopefully only one year away from being able to use the great new facility – and having indoor pools ready for winter in 2022!


Riversdale Open Day  

This year, the National Trust (NSW) is celebrating its 75th anniversary, and as part of the festivities their properties are open and free to visit across the state.

This Saturday Riversdale will be open for a one off ‘Valentine’s Day at Riversdale’ event on Saturday 13th February from 10am – 4pm.

Built in the late 1830s as a coaching inn, Riversdale later became home to the district surveyor, Edward Twynam and his family. Edward was appointed Chief Surveyor of NSW during the 1890s and his family occupied Riversdale for almost 100 years prior to its purchase by the National Trust.

Standing within its original paddocks and outbuildings, Riversdale is a fine example of a Colonial Georgian home surrounded by splendid gardens and picnic grounds. Riversdale is renowned for its collection of fine Australian Colonial furniture and arts and craft.

Riversdale has been closed due to COVID-19, so make sure you come along to enjoy the day in the garden. Riversdale is located at 2 Twynan Drive, Goulburn.

Next week’s Council meeting

The busy start to 2021 continues with next week’s Council agenda containing a number of important items that will be of interest to the community.

Council will consider:

  • A request for 22 Hurst Street to be listed as a Heritage Item
  • Input into environmental assessment requirements for a proposed Marulan Solar Farm
  • A new Police Station for Goulburn
  • Updates on a number of important Council projects including Cookbundoon Pavilion, Performing Arts Centre, Aquatic Centre redevelopment, St Clair conservation works and progress on road repairs following flood damage last year

As you may be aware, this year will be the final year of the current council term, which was extended due to COVID-19. Elections will be held in September, and I encourage anyone who has the drive and passion to contribute to the community to consider putting themselves forward for the elections.

If you would like to get an idea of the work involved, a good way to begin is to come along to our meetings which are held at 6pm at 184 Bourke Street, Goulburn on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

 

Tagged as: