!["We would be in favour of [the plan] because it is a cathedral for the city," says Very Reverend Phillip Saunders of St Saviour's Cathedral.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/ABUBJju6WcqUnSLGchinnd/1dc0e9d9-6d0f-4c3e-a6a5-8fe249291b33.JPG/r0_0_5184_3456_w576_h298_fmax.webp "\"We would be in favour of [the plan] because it is a cathedral for the city,\" says Very Reverend Phillip Saunders of St Saviour's Cathedral.")
The Very Reverend Phillip Saunders of St Saviour’s Cathedral has welcomed the recent draft CBD master plan by the Goulburn Mulwaree Council, citing benefits in the Belmore to Victoria park link.
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Greater lane connections, street upgrades, parklets, pedestrian and bicycle laneways have all been suggested by consultants Spacelab.
Reverend Saunders dismissed concerns increased foot traffic, as a result of the walkway via the cathedral, would impact the site.
“I don’t think increased traffic would be a problem; I think it may be the opposite. A lot of people moving through [the cathedral site] might actually create more safety,” he said.
“We would be in favour of [the plan] because it is a cathedral for the city. If this is going to happen it will happen over time, so there will be opportunity for our community and local community to work through some of this.”
Unlike larger cities St Saviour’s cathedral is in clear view, an advantage Reverend Saunders believes could be greatly utlilised as part of the CBD plan.
“Many cathedrals don’t have a line of sight and are stuck in the middle of buildings. The cathedral community and leadership are really enthusiastic moving forward, despite being very early stages, it’s worth seriously looking at,” he said.
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The plan also proposed a transformation to Montague Street with the inclusion of a green walkway, bars and cafes.
“Montague street is a wide street, we could just have one part of it as a tree lined walk way. The footpath can even be widened and there will still be a two-way street for motorists,” Goulburn Mulwaree Council general manager Warwick Bennett said
“The point I want to get across is that there are no bad ideas in this plan, it is up to the community to prioritise what we keep and leave.”
One million dollars has been allocated to the beautification plan per year since 2013. Mr Bennett told The Post he was unsure if the figure would remain the same, but hoped a “substantial amount” would continue to be allocated.
“We expect to conclude negotiations with Roads and Maritime Services to take ownership of Auburn street soon. Hopefully by July 1 it becomes a council road and we can do with Auburn street what the community wants.”
The CBD masterplan is scheduled to roll out over the next 15-20 years. The document is on public exhibition until February 28 and can be accessed on the Goulburn Mulwaree website.
