It will mean jobs for the city and the return of a thriving selling industry lost to the city in 1998.

Some 20 stakeholders gathered at the Council Chambers to discuss the possibility.

Regional Development Australia Southern Inland and Goulburn Mulwaree Council coordinated the forum.

RDASI chairman Mark Schweikert said Goulburn was an "obvious place" to shift the sales given its former status as a wool selling centre. His organisation decided to investigate after growers suggested the move. "There was a mood to leave Yennora and for the sales not to be lost to Melbourne," he said of the forum. "Everyone has a soft spot for Goulburn, but no one was saying 'let's do it now'. There is some caution on everyone's behalf and that's to be expected so we make sure it's the right choice."

But it was enough for RDASI to start the process. Together with the council, it will undertake a feasibility study. If viable, they'll pitch it to Australian Wool Handlers, Yennora's head leaseholder.

Mr Schweikert said the industry had to be convinced of logistics, cost and a modern facility before shifting sales to Goulburn. Although far from refined, a 10,000 to 18,000 square metre selling centre could be needed. Wool storage and exporting would remain in Sydney. Goulburn's cheaper real estate is a potential trump card, guaranteeing a greater return for brokers and growers.

It all started with a rumour that Yennora wanted to relocate. The facility's lease runs out in two years. "Yennora appears to be becoming a bit run-down. It needs stronger and consistent lighting, the building leaks and some roofs have fallen in, so from that perspective a modern facility living up to a modern standard is needed," Mr Schweikert said. He could not estimate a cost at this stage. RDASI will formulate the feasibility study's terms of reference with stakeholders. The board will then vote on these.

Mr Schweikert said he was very happy with the forum's turn-up and the "fantastic information" gathered.

Participants included Inland Wool Brokers Association chairman, Wayne Beecher, Private Treaty Wool Merchants of Australia president, Ben Litchfield, Moses and Sons wool brokers, Jemalong Wool, Australian Wool Network NSW manager, Mark Hedley and local agents including Elders and Landmark.

Hume MP Angus Taylor, Member for Goulburn Pru Goward, Mayor Geoff Kettle, council general manager Warwick Bennett and economic development officer Debbi Rodden also attended.

The council talked up Goulburn's credentials in a presentation to the meeting.

"They are very keen and we'll be working in conjunction with them on the feasibility study," Mr Schweikert said. ". . . The politicians were also very supportive and their future role is yet to be defined but we're happy to have their expertise." RDASI will meet again with the council this week.

The organisation's co-deputy chairman and Bowning business consultant Ben Maguire said the idea to relocate wool sales had been around for some time, but had gathered pace in the last six to eight months. Growers had approached him, knowing his position with RDASI.

"I believe it can happen but the key is to respond quickly," he said. "Too many reports sit in top drawers so this is about maintaining momentum and making it happen.

"RDA and the council need to give the industry a reason to back it."

Ultimately it would come down to "dollars per square metre" and commercial return. But growers already appreciated the benefits of regionalisation, Mr Maguire said.

He told the Post there were premises in Goulburn that might be suitable but wouldn't name them at this stage.

After the meeting, Mr Hedley said while it was early days, there was certainly enough interest to take the idea to the next step.

"It needs a few more company principals to be consulted and that will have to be with figures to show the costings," he said.

Wool was once stored and sold at Botany but moved to Yennora. Twenty years ago, Yennora had a 40-acre shed for storage but today it held very little because the real estate was too expensive. Only sales are held there.

"It's becoming dearer and dearer all the time so that's part of the theory behind regionalisation," Mr Hedley said.

Major drawcard

GOULBURN'S location is a major drawcard in luring wool sales, says Angus Taylor. 

The Hume MP described Friday's discussions as "overwhelmingly positive."

"I commend RDA Southern Inland and the council for being able to assemble such an influential cross-section of industry stakeholders to the table," he said.

"Location, location, location is what I keep saying to people about Goulburn.

"Notwithstanding its strategic importance to major road and rail links, proximity to Canberra and Sydney, and its rich wool-producing heritage, Goulburn has ample existing wool store infrastructure - and cheaper property prices. The move from Yennora to Goulburn would yield savings and that alone is a tremendous incentive.

"So I am keen to support a feasibility study now to identify just what those savings are. Remember too, a Goulburn location would also offer wool growers - and there are many on our doorstep - the opportunity to attend a sale and network directly with brokers and buyers."

Mr Taylor said Goulburn had a compelling case and he was "100 per cent" behind what was an exciting bid.