The council is now discussing road reclassifications on a number of connecting thoroughfares to Auburn and Sloane Streets with the RMS.

But signs are at least positive that the council’s primary objective is making ground.

“I’m really pleased that the RMS is supportive of swapping Auburn Street for Sloane Street (as a State road),” general manager Warwick Bennett told the most recent meeting.

“It’s something we’ve been trying to achieve for many years and I’m confident the swap will be completed by June 30.”

The council has argued for greater control over Auburn Street, given its CBD improvement program and in the past, RMS requirements governing signage. The draft CBD plan also proposes several changes in parking and landscaping, though not yet endorsed by councillors.

But operations director Matt O’Rourke said if the swap went ahead and Auburn Street was made local, others in the network would have to be reclassified as well to maintain continuity. Other unrelated streets have also jumped onto the agenda.

The RMS has suggested that Lagoon Street, from Bradley to Union Street, also become a local rather than a State road. Sydney Road from Union Street to the Hume Highway, would become a regional road, which the council would maintain with some State Government funding assistance.

It has also recommended that Sloane Street from Bradley Street to Sydney Road be given Regional status.

Elsewhere, Goldsmith Street between Fitzroy and Auburn Streets would change from State to local. The main route to Crookwell, from Goldsmith to Marys Mount Road would become a State road.

Another heavily trafficked route would also alter. Clinton Street between Cowper and Deccan Streets and and Deccan Street between Clinton and Goldsmith Streets would change from local to State.

The council is weighing up what it all means.  

“Under the proposed reclassification, the council would acquire an additional 1.74km of local road,” Mr O’Rourke reported.

“There would also be an additional 4.88km of regional road, including three bridges on the old Sydney Road. Also, Lagoon Street and old Sydney Road are four lanes, having twice the pavement area compared to local roads.”

The prospect is not sitting well, given the maintenance responsibilities. The council maintains local roads and receives state funding for regional thoughfares under the Regional Road Repair Program. But any additional maintenance on the latter is covered by the council.

Mr O’Rourke said the roads’ standard was a key consideration in any transfer.

“Some road pavements will need to be upgraded to State or regional road standard. These would include Deccan, Clinton, Sloane and Grafton streets,” he stated.

“Conversely, some pavements are in sound condition and will not need any work. eg. Goldsmith and Lagoon Streets.”

Long-term maintenance was also a consideration. Council general manager Warwick Bennett said the council would propose some changes to these classifications to the RMS. Councillors thus agreed to request a road condition report from RMS to determine the cost. A comprehensive report on overall costs will come to a future meeting.

Mayor Bob Kirk said the original purpose was simply to swap responsibility for Sloane and Auburn Streets and it was questionable whether the other roads should be part of the equation.

“We don’t know how much we’ll be up for,” he said.

“...The highway bypass went through 25 years ago and Auburn Street no longer needs to show up on maps as a bypass route,” he said.

“It (the swap) would give us control over our main street and if we want to close it off for markets or whatever, we won’t need RMS permission.. We want to design it for locals and pedestrians, not trucks, and while ever we do nothing, it will become harder and harder.”

In other council news, Cr Kirk and Mr Bennett held a series of meetings in Sydney late last week to talk up Goulburn’s prospects.

They met with bankers, fund managers, the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Greater Sydney Commission about development opportunities. Regional Infrastructure coordinator Ken Gillespie was also on the list, along with officials working on a regional infrastructure review

“We talked about future planning for Goulburn and how to be big and bold and daring rather than having a ‘build it and they will come’ attitude,” Cr Kirk said.

He told The Post that while some opportunities, flowing from pressures in western Sydney, might take time to realise, it was about pitching Goulburn’s credentials.