Controversy was its bedfellow during concept stage and approval of the first phase last November.

But nine months down the track the first stage is near completion. More importantly, people have been enlisted to operate the allied health centre, pharmacy and other aspects.

Yes, there’s a way to go yet and the proponents are yet to prove they can draw enough doctors and practitioners to Goulburn. Company representative Wal Ashton acknowledges this is notoriously difficult.

However Mr Ashton and daughter Sophie are proving that vision and money can make these things possible.

Coupled with that is the changing nature of health care, pressure on governments to find alternative funding models and the growth of private providers. If not now, in the longer term the Goulburn Base Hospital redevelopment will come under this type of pressure.

This city is primed to take advantage of the health sector’s growth. By 2011, 15 per cent of Goulburn Mulwaree’s population was employed in health care and social assistance. It will only grow as our population ages.

A recently completed draft employment strategy recognises this and makes recommendations for future planning.

It’s a valuable document for many reasons and is money well spent.

The report details which sectors are likely to grow and how the council can plan accordingly.

Industry, while stagnating currently, is expected to grow in coming years as new opportunities present. Council’s bid for western Sydney businesses will play its part. So too will the natural flow of industry escaping high city prices.

Goulburn Mulwaree’s economic growth was below the State average at 10pc from 2001 to 2011, authors HillPDA stated.

But it jumped considerably from 2006 to 2011 (0.6pc). Gross regional product is also forecast to increase from 2015 to 2017. 

The strategy also predicts a bright future for the education sector, especially university centre hubs, and tourism, particularly the motor sport industry.

It’s just a matter of targeting our efforts and continuing the good momentum of late.

The new council and importantly, the community, must play a major role.