The Southern Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) has told Goulburn Mulwaree Council that it needs to do more work on its proposal before re-submitting it to them for further assessment. 

Specifically, the issues of car parking and access in and around the CBD,  heritage impacts, potential for any impact on nearby buildings, the height height of the buildings, and disabled access to and within the proposed centre were cited as requiring further investigation. 

The hearing on the DA to turn the McDermott Centre into a Performing Arts Centre (PAC) lasted for about three hours in Goullburn on July 27. 

Chair of the JRPP Pam Allan said the panel found a number of issues with the plans.

“A number of things were lacking in the report and we want to make sure they are remedied,” Ms Allan said. 

“We listened to the concerns of the speakers today and we had concerns in relation to our inspection of the site as well, specifically about the heritage importance and value of the building.” 

“We consider this a very important project for Goulburn. We are looking at an adaptive reuse of an existing building that is very important for the historic fabric of Goulburn, but now with an opportunity chosen by the council to serve another function.”

“It isn't our job to consider alternative sites., though we are satisfied that alternatives have been looked at. Our role is to consider the proposal before us.” 

Panel member Mark Grayson said they listened carefully to issues raised.

“We have listened to matters in and around an ability to provide car parking and access in and around the CBD and how this proposal may fit in relation to that and issues around the adaptive reuse and the challenges that presents,” Mr Grayson said.

“We look forward to further advice to council on both of those matters.” 

The resolution handed down by the panel is that: 

The panel resolves that the DA for the PAC at (163 Auburn St) be deferred in order to enable further assessment and review based on the most recent plans on the following matters: 

(1) The preparing of a car parking and access management plan that specifically addresses requirements of the PAC including but not limited to - disabled access, parking, loading and unloading, drop off and pick up,

(2) the heritage impacts of the proposal addressing additional design and interpretive matters raised in the independent heritage report and this to be done in conjunction with council’s independent heritage advisor,

(3) draft conditions of development consent be revised to specifically address (a) detailed conservation of the heritage values of the building to be made consistent with the advice of received from the heritage advisor (b) the potential for any impact on nearby buildings by requiring a dilapidation report  (c  requirement for works to stop should items of archeological significance be discovered during construction,

(4) that specific reference and assessment of the request to vary the height of the buildings by way of a detailed review in accordance with clause 4.6 of the GM LEP of 2009, and 

(5) That the report address requirements and the proposed provision for (a) disabled access to and within the centre and (b) disabled services and facilities within the centre. 

Ms Allan said the panel would be coming back to Goulburn to consider that further report.

“It is now over to council, the heritage advisor and the applicant, the council staff working with the applicant to make sure these areas are addressed in accordance to this resolution and you are keen to get this done efficiently,” she said. 

It was a unanimous decision to defer the application. 

Ms Allan said the next panel meeting would also be a public meeting and the report would be posted on the wesbite to give people an opportunity to speak before them.

Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Bob Kirk said the council was confident with the application put forward to the JRPP and would take the decision “on the chin”.

“They need more information. We can provide that and we will provide it adequately to address their concerns,” Cr Kirk said.

“I take it from what they’ve said, that if we do, we’ll see the project move on.” 

He said the speakers raised good points but said it was not a question about how many people say there is a problem, but how valid the arguments are.

“They are all key issues,” he said in reference to the five points of focus needed by the council’s following application as advised by the JRPP. 

“It’s more about the specifics, rather than  big major items. Under those five points it wasn’t elaborated enough. I can accept that.

“If we’d be dealing with a DA, we would be doing the same thing.” 

The JRPP is set to return to Goulburn at a later date. Goulburn Mulwaree Council Operations director Matt O’Rourke said council staff will now digest the recommendations for the future.  

“We just have to respond to those conditions and fill in the gaps so that is what we will be getting on with,” he said.