Neville Burrows said at one time when the former Goulburn City Council was thinking about "giving away" Goldsmith St to enable Argyle Mall's expansion several years ago, the city centre had 67 empty shops.

"There are very few that are empty now and I would venture to say that more land will become available in the near future," Mr Burrows said.

"On the industrial side of things there are already quite a few lots that haven't been taken up... I think at the moment there is a bit of a glut of industrial land, but the commercial side has turned around."

Mr Burrows bought the Goulburn Soldiers Bowling Club site at a keenly contested auction in 2002.

He drew up plans to redevelop the 9500 square metre area, possibly into shops and a retirement village, but has put off the proposal in light of recent strong enquiry.

Mr Burrows said he received enquiries almost every week about the site from developers, some representing large retailing interests. He is now considering whether to sell "at a favourable price," thereby negating the need to develop.

"I heard it said at the time that I paid too much for the site, but I may yet prove the skeptics wrong," Mr Burrows said.

Another local investor who has undertaken an assessment of CBD property values based on recent sales, estimated that premises were worth between $1000 and $1150 per square metre.

Several large retailers are known to be interested in establishing in Goulburn, but are waiting to find suitable sites.

For the full story, please see Wednesday's Goulburn Post, available from our front office in Auburn St, or at all leading newsagencies across the Goulburn area.