Mayoral Column 28th January 2022
Published on 28 January 2022
Australia Day Award Winners
It was an honour to attend my very first Australia Day celebrations in both Goulburn and Marulan on Wednesday as Mayor. It is a special event on the calendar, and I felt that the change in location for our Goulburn event to the Waterworks was a huge success, with a number of people especially taking advantage of the water activities on the picturesque Wollondilly River.
I would like to formally recognise the winners of the 2022 Australia Day Awards below:
Heather West was named Goulburn Mulwaree’s Citizen of the Year for 2022. Heather is President and coordinator of the Friends of Goulburn Wetlands (FROGS), a volunteer and coordinator of restoration of historic cemeteries, a member of Goulburn Historical Society and also a committee member of Galleries on Track. She is also a member of the Goulburn Show Society, volunteers for many other groups and is involved in writing numerous books on Goulburn’s history – congratulations Heather.
Anabarasan Mitchell was awarded Goulburn Mulwaree’s Young Citizen of the Year Award for 2022. Anabarasan has been recognized for his generous fundraising efforts, musical talents and high achievements in the sport of Golf. He also gives his time as a member of the Trinity College Youth Ministry, and is a keen musician. I know Anabarasan personally, and he is very deserving of this recognition of his resilience and wonderful attitude.
Finally, the Goulburn AP & H Society Show was awarded Goulburn Mulwaree’s Community Event of the Year Award for 2022. Following the COVID restrictions of 2020, the Goulburn Show committee chose to plan for a full show in March 2021, despite the cloud of lockdowns hanging over the event. The Show Committee rose to the challenge and staged a safe and enjoyable 3-Day Show for the Goulburn Community. I look forward to the 2022 Goulburn Show, which I’m sure will be bigger than ever.
Congratulations to all nominees for this year’s awards; I know the Australia Day Committee had a very difficult time choosing the winners for 2022.
Changes to Auburn Street speed limit
As the community will be aware, last year Council made the decision to reduce the speed limit in Auburn Street from 50km/h to 40km/h. It’s important to note that this was done with the support of police and the local traffic committee, in order to make the area safer and more accessible to pedestrians – and the reality is that most vehicles already travel at well less than 50km when in the CBD.
The permanent changes will begin next Monday, 31st January, with work expected to be completed on Tuesday 8th February. The new speed zone will come into effect on completion.
The changes will also bring in a 15 tonne load limit, which will divert heavy vehicles from Auburn Street to the alternate route along Sloane Street. Of course vehicles that need to use Auburn Street to drop supplies to stores, supermarkets and restaurants are still able to access the area.
There may be some minor, temporary traffic impacts during this period. Some work may be carried out after hours.
Motorists are reminded to drive to the sign posted speed limit at all times for the safety of all transport customers.
1st Council Meeting
Next Tuesday 1st February we will hold our first normal business Council meeting for 2022, with our new Council. We will kick off the year with 16 items to consider, many of which will be of interest to our community:
- Status update on May Street subdivision
- Planning proposal for 133 Marys Mount Road (Teneriffe)
- Tenders for Goulburn Hockey Amenities building, Windellama Road rehabilitation, Cullula Road Causeway replacement and the next stage of the Wollondilly River Walkway
- Two grant applications that staff have been working on.
- Finalising membership of the Entertainment and Night Time Economy Working Party
As always members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting at 6pm in the Council Chambers at 184 Bourke Street. It will also be live streamed, with this accessible through our website: www.goulburn.nsw.gov.au