We have the foundations on which to build: magnificent historical buildings, including our cathedrals and court house, charming cottages, parks, gardens and riverside recreational areas.

Yet all along the main street are tall metal light poles. They may provide illumination, but they certainly don’t speak of our heritage. Cities such as Bathurst and Orange have retained older style lighting, albeit with updated illumination.

How can you promote Goulburn as a “historical city” when the wooden seats, comfortable for elderly citizens and parents with children, have been replaced by “modern” monstrosities: no backs rests, hot in summer, cold in winter, too high for many people to rest their feet on the ground, ugly and impractical.

I have recently returned from a tour of central west NSW where the major towns have smart, well maintained back-to-back timber slat seats, which accommodate numerous shoppers and visitors in comfort. Those seats speak of the city’s history, they look the part and provide the comfort required, something our seating doesn’t. Wagga Wagga is just one example.

Granted, the gardens on street corners are mostly appealing. However, removing car spaces to plant trees along the streets has disadvantaged those who wish to park and shop, particularly the elderly and infirm.

Then there is the St John’s site – the eyesore at the “top of the town“. How can we declare ourselves a city proud of our heritage when the Goulburn Mulwaree Council allows what was one of our finest buildings to fall into such disrepair, although that is perhaps too gentle an expression for what it has become.

Surely the council can consider better ways to make our city more attractive, more the first inland city it prides itself upon being. 

Think wisely: why spend thousands of dollars paving the footpaths, paving that even now looks scuffed and dirty and has lost any appeal the council assumed it would have when claiming it would be more pleasant for the locals and more inviting for tourists. What rot!

Why not encourage the many businesses on Auburn Street, which have closed their doors, leaving the area looking derelict. Any assistance the council can provide to business owners would stimulate the local economy and provide employment opportunities for local residents.

For goodness sake, council, think outside the square. Goulburn was a wonderful city when it was recognised as such over 150 years ago. It has had its issues. Please rectify those issues, don’t create more.