Services opened for business on Monday, the first day of the financial year. The space features multiple meeting rooms, large open spaces for activities, a state of the art kitchen and new offices for council staff.

A council spokesman said the building also had good parking access and layout and was ideally positioned in the CBD, only metres away from the former home in the Old Town Hall.

Mayor Bob Kirk said the new location was a great space for the community and youth services.

“It is a modern area that has more room for our user groups, a far better kitchen, new technology and good access to public transport,” he said.

“It really is a perfect fit in my opinion and our IT team has already begun setting up computers that are for open use.”

Councillors resolved to enter into a five-year lease for the building in March, 2018 at an annual rent of $140,000. It means the services have a secure home until 2023. 

“This five-year lease will now allow us to gauge the need for a purpose built community centre. We have a number of community groups that have different needs so any building we construct would need to be flexible,” Cr Kirk said.

“I’m encouraging people to contact Council on 4823 4444 or email council@goulburn.nsw.gov.au to let us know what your group would potentially utilise in a community centre.”

Councillors are due to tour the former Goulburn Furniture Warehouse this week to assess its suitability. They are also considering the former council depot in Bourke Street, currently used by Goulburn’s U3A group and the Gem Society. 

The community services have been moved from the Old Town Hall due to development of the Goulburn Performing Arts Centre.

Sewer relocation was paused in June after the discovery of remnants of the first Goulburn jail. The council expects to hear from the Office of Environment and Heritage this week regarding the discovery.

The spokesman said the council hoped to resume works “in the near future.”