Statistics showed that vacancies had dropped from 10 per cent in September to nine per cent by December, representing 23 shops. This compared with 13pc in December, 2016.

The council’s economic development officer, Debbi Rodden said the figures reflected the region’s strong economic climate, to which there were several contributing factors.

“The economic climate in Australia as a whole is quite strong at the moment, and although retail can be a tough sector we are seeing growth in a variety of categories within the CBD, which is great,” she said.

“This is also occurring outside the CBD, with a number of large businesses in the process of establishing in Goulburn.

“The work undertaken by the council in the CBD is complementing these conditions, and encouraging people to shop local when possible. We will hopefully continue to see positive results in 2018.”

Several redevelopments are planned for the city centre, including conversion of the former State Bank on the corner of Goldsmith and Auburn Streets into a 30-room motel and cafe. 

The occupancy audit found 23 vacancies in December 2017, with 10 of these available and 13 inactive.

The 2016 Census also found the Goulburn Mulwaree region to be in a strong economic position, with unemployment sitting at 6.3pc and the region growing by just under six per cent in the past five years, bringing total population to 30,150.

The council projects that the local government area’s population will rise to 33,863 by 2026, 35,567 by 2031 and 37,202 by 2036. By then it will have 15,405 homes, up from 12,235 in 2016, it estimates.