Years ago, former councillor, the late Keith Cole arced up over an image he famously called ‘the worm,’ proposed for Goulburn Mulwaree’s logo. In fact it was a wave, depicting a hill.

Councillors were just as divided at their most recent meeting at which a 15-minute discussion took place about the best design for ‘Welcome to Goulburn’ signs. They’re proposed to replace the existing ‘deteriorated’ ones on the city’s secondary entrances, including Braidwood Road and Taralga Road. 

The new designs considered the current Goulburn Australia marketing brand and tapped into the colour scheme for signage proposed in the CBD master plan.

But debate spiralled into a web of motions, amendments and foreshadowed motions in which almost all councillors had their say.

Cr Leah Ferrara argued the toss over one she considered as simple and straightforward, with “no pretty bits” to distract the driver. Staff had recommended blue signage on a plain background with ‘Welcome to Goulburn Australia – short trip, big opportunity’ written across it. Cr Ferrara argued for one with white writing, a bluer background and what her colleagues described as orange ‘thumbprints’ on both sides.

But Cr Denzil Sturgiss described all five options as “bland and uninviting.” Debate continued unabated until Mayor Bob Kirk intervened.

“I’m sure we could all put up with any one of these signs and come up with any number of variations,” he said.

“And I’m sure we could sit here all night and not agree. We’re getting down to tin tacks here.”

At one point he used his casting vote to defeat a motion. Cr Carol James was an apology for the meeting and voting had been tied at four all.

Finally they settled on the depicted image, deemed straight to the point – ‘Welcome to Goulburn – short trip big opportunity.’

A total $50,000 has been allocated in the 2018/19 budget for new signage.

Tuesday’s meeting lasted three and a half hours. This was in part due to the fact only one meeting was held in July owing to several councillors’ attendance on the sister-city trip to Shibetsu.