The five-month exhibition period for the draft CBD master plan closed on April 30, with the council receiving some 50 public submissions.

The document includes suggestions to activate laneways, creating pedestrian arcades, links to rear parking, increased outdoor dining and landscaping, parking changes and an improved signage system. It is designed to guide further improvements over the coming 20 years.

But the ideas generated by the community are what interest Council most, says General Manager Warwick Bennett.

“Opinion was divided on dedicated cycling lanes, while generally continuing improvements to laneways was well supported. Parking was hot on the agenda as expected, and we will be providing all of this feedback to Council for their decision making process,” he said. 

“Some of the other interesting feedback to come through was for the development of pedestrian plaza, perhaps adjacent to Belmore Park. This space could be used for events, increased outdoor dining, extra green space and more.”

Pop-up consultation was also held in March in Auburn Street, with community members able to drop-in throughout the day to examine the plan and provide feedback.

“I had the chance to drop into the pop-up consultation and found it to be very productive,” Mayor Bob Kirk said. 

“We were able to engage with various community members including some from the Goulburn Heritage Group and local businesses. This is a form of consultation we will again be using for the Goulburn Mulwaree Housing Strategy in a bid to get residents involved. 

“It’s also important to note that the ideas within the draft plan were intended to generate conversation, which they have done, and not all of these will be implemented.”

The council will consider submissions to the CBD Master Plan in the coming months with the document expected to be finalised in the second half of this year.