The panel includes Mark Grayson, Renate Brooks and Chair Pam Allan.

So far this morning there have been speakers for and against the proposal including: Tempi Hornibrook, Kim Gann, Barry Anstee and Jacki Waugh against the proposal and speaking in favour were Dr Ursula Stephens, Chris Gordon and Mayor Bob Kirk.

Goulburn Resident Tempe Hornibook raised concerns about preserving the nearby heritage of buildings such as the Post Office and the Courthouse.

“We need to preserve the heritage character of the McDermott Centre,” she said.

She also questioned the running costs of the facility at $400,000 a year. 

She said since losing the Lilac Time Hall and Kenmore Theater, Goulburn creatives had used boutique venues to perform in as well as the Lieder Theatre and this led to “intimacy in performance.” 

She said the blowout of the Veolia Arena which she called the “malfunction centre” from $7million had been because there was no provision for toilets. 

“It might be good to look at this again because there is a proper entrance and parking galore,” she said.

Businessperson Kim Gann said her main concern is parking as there is no parking onsite. 

“There is a coffee shop, performers and patrons. It is not acceptable and does not comply with the DCP,” she said. 

“The business case for maintaining the venue does not stack up.” 

Architect Barry Anstee said the DA should be refused. He also put forward a document to the panel. 

“That there is no onsite parking is completely unacceptable,” Mr Anstee said. 

“The plans you are being asked to approve do not comply with building codes.” 

Dr Ursula Stephens was the only registered speaker in favour of the proposal. She is also the Chair of the Goulburn Regional Conservatorium. 

She said the planning issues in play were the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings, preservation of street scape and the council's approach to assets based community development.

“The plans were was consistent with state planning approaches such as the Regional Growth Strategy, the Strategic Community Plan the Regional Australia Institute report on regional cities, characteristics and attraction,” she said. 

“There has been much consultation with a Working Party. There are economic benefits to the whole region and social and cultural benefits to the the city and region for this development. I have visited other PACs in the region including those at Dubbo and Queanbeyan

“There are 17 in NSW and Goulburn is the only city of this size that does not have a PAC.

Dr Stephens said there were 1200 students currently enrolled and a further 600 in the region who used the Conservsatorium. 

“There is no performing space for them,” she said. 

“Recently students from Goulburn Public School were involved in a music education program with the conservatorium that has seem them become finalists in an APRA AMCOS Award. They had to perform in Canberra because they could not perform in their home town.”

Resident Jacki Waugh reiterated concerns about parking, the costs and the site. 

Though not registered to speak, Chris Gordon was in support.

“I am one of the 29,00 people in the city who did not sign the petition about parking,” he said. 

“With a stage that is 12m wide and 9m deep it will attract the Bell Shakespeare back here. We are one of 17 regional cities in NSW that does not have  PAC. This is a project that we need and we the working party has looked at many aspects of it.” 

Mayor Bob Kirk also spoke in favour of the proposal.

“When it was mooted, I had serious issues with it but as it has developed I have warmed very much to the use of this building for this purpose,” Cr Kirk said. 

“Council represents the community and everyone says there is a great need for this facility and here is our opportunity.

“I understand the issues that have been raised and I understand parking has been a contentious point, but we are dealing with a community facility not a commercial facility and it is for the benefit of the community.

“I accept the reports and guidance given by people the council has engaged. Goulburn is on the cusp of big things and all great cities have a PAC.

Following the speakers, Chair of the Joint Regional Planning Panel Pam Allan, with the support of colleagues Renata Brooks and Mark Grayson, led the questions directed to Goulburn Mulwree Council Operations Director Matt O’Rourke.

No other member of council was questioned by the panelists. 

Due to ties to council and the nature of the issue Ms Allan said it was a state panel. 

Questions put towards Mr O’Rourke included the validity of the McDermott Centre site as an option, parking and costs.

He dispelled the $17.1 million figure mentioned by a previous speaker and mentioned an additional grant funding secured by the council. He said the actual figure was $12.1 million.

“Should this be approved we move into a tender. In some requests that is out of our hands because the market will have its own views for what the cost will be,” he said.

“The council has spent about $700,000 on this project so far.”

Mr O’Rourke also dispelled the lack of communication between the council and the court house when questioned by Ms Allen.

He said the council was in consultation with the court house in relation to the use of access and the relocation of the sewer main.

“In principal they have been in agreement with us,” he said, but admitted this would have to be formalised in the future if it was to proceed.

He acknowledged the issue of parking but cited a parking strategy conducted by the council in 2016, which supported free parking spaces in the CBD.

“In the block that immediately straddles this location, there are 440 car parks. On a weekday there is a vacancy of 87-97 car parks  and on a weekend 150-260,’ he said.

“There is an indicator that there is adequate opportunity for on street parking in this vicinity.” 

He also mentioned the access to five to six taxi ranks and commercial bus stops. 

“Even when you started talking you interchange strategy and planning,” Ms Allan said.

“They’re not the same. A parking strategy is not a study. A parking study and a parking strategy is not a parking plan. When you’re putting together a report like this which is going to generate more parking issues, that needs to be very clear. You need to have a clear handle on it.”

The sitting commenced at 10.30am at the Council Chambers and will re-sit at 1.30pm.