General manager Warwick Bennett said the ‘Right Now in Goulburn’ pitch invited 30 mainly freelance Sydney journalists. The event, costing up to $8000, was held in the ballroom of Pitt Street’s Westin Hotel over two hours on Thursday night.

It also involved local business people representing the quarry, retail, accommodation and poultry sectors, among others.

In the planning for four to five months, Mr Bennett said the idea was to sell a “great story.”

“We invited a number of the Sydney media, including travel, food, home and garden writers to spread the word that now is an exciting time to live and work in Goulburn,” he said.

“They were excited about Goulburn, Spyfest and other promotions and we’ll be encouraging them to visit the city.”

The session promoted Goulburn’s cheap land prices, the cost advantages of moving here in a rising Sydney market, tourism, restaurants and accommodation and business opportunities.

Mr Bennett said state and federal government moves to advance the Badgerys Creek airport played right into the region’s hands.

The council will explore how businesses currently in the outer Sydney area align with Goulburn Mulwaree’s. Quarries and poultry operations could be among those wishing to relocate.

Likewise, the Greater Sydney Commission established earlier this year offered opportunities.

Outer suburbs are being encouraged to free up more residential land, possibly sending business and industry our way.

The General Manager said the function was part of a three to five-year promotion strategy. Another event in coming months would target western Sydney.

Asked why it was held in Sydney rather than bringing journalists to Goulburn, Mr Bennett it was important to spark interest first.

“We had to lay the bait, give them an incentive and give them information about Goulburn,” he said.

“That’s important in a technological age where journalists don’t often leave home.

“We will invite them here in about four or five weeks and I’m confident 50 to 60 per cent of them will come.”

While he didn’t have a final account, the GM said the function would have cost $5000 to $8000, including venue hire, presentations and catering. Council also paid for several people to stay overnight, including Mayor Geoff Kettle, Deputy Mayor Bob Kirk, Mr Bennett and some guests. Council staff travelled home that evening, Mr Bennett said.

Daily Telegraph cartoonist and Taralga treechanger Warren Brown was emcee, while a panel including Cr Kettle, Goulburn and District Chamber of Commerce president Prue Martin, Goulburn marketing and events manager Sarah Ruberto and Macarthur Grange Breweries CEO Anton Szpitalik, answered questions and provided information.

Hume MP Angus Taylor and Member for Goulburn Pru Goward also attended. So too did The Goulburn Group president Urs Walterlin.

“The marketing people at Council did a fantastic job,” he said.

“The display and sales pitch was very, very impressive.”

But he told the Post he was disappointed the presentation was geared toward tourism and quarries and ‘lacking’ an overall strategy for Goulburn Mulwaree.

“I was extremely disappointed that not once were words used about sustainability or renewable energy,” he said.

“I think we have to do more than just say ‘come to us because we have cheap land, great restaurants and accommodation.’ They organised a really great event but I think they have to work on the message and vision.”

Mr Walterlin believed this involved listening to many voices in the community, ensuring that the sales strategy was truly representative, not just Council’s.

He said it was now vital to lure journalists here to spruik the region’s story.