It hasn't been so close in recent memory. As such, Goulburn is attracting national media attention, money and promises from both sides.

But what do citizens think? The Goulburn Post asked community members for their thoughts in the lead up to the election.

Goulburn resident and keen election watcher Barry McDonald said he'd heard enough about the candidates to decide his votes. 

"This is based on website information and media reporting," Mr McDonald said.

"I don't hear much (in the media) about the other five candidates outside Liberal and Labor, but admit I was overseas for two weeks."

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He was most impressed on a statewide level by the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers (SFF).

"They seem to be approaching the election sensibly. They are not making excessive promises," he said.

"Their unexpected win in the Orange by-election of 2016 jolted them to realise they can be a proper political alternative and not just making up numbers in Parliament.

"They will win some seats from the National Party. They will give Goulburn a good shake, but I am not sure they will be winners."

Statewide, Mr McDonald predicted a Labor minority government in office with preference support from the SFF.

"I was surprised to hear of preference deals between Labor and the SFF in recent days," he said.

"Some older Shooters Party original supporters will have difficulty with this, given the former Unsworth Labor Government's campaign against recreational shooters in 1987 which saw that government lose office. I suppose it's a generation later and thinking has changed."

Mr McDonald said the March 23 election was still shaping up to be a "real lottery".

"It will come down to preferences and what other deals roll out in coming days," he said.

"I would be surprised if we had a clear winner with 50 per cent +1 of first preference votes.

"It leaves a 'Liberal vs Labor' or 'Wendy vs Ursula' final. Ursula might pull it off if SFF voters preference her."

Former Goulburn Mulwaree mayor Geoff Kettle said he had been watching from the sidelines and was a bit bemused by how the campaigns had run.

"I have not been involved in candidate forums and I have not followed it much, but I am still in touch with the community and the sentiment I pick up is that people are very confused about who stands for what," Mr Kettle said.

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"It is interesting that polls are now 50:50, but also understandable. This election is very different to the last two or three.

"There is the late retirement of the local member, the lack of a pre-selection process within the Liberal Party, and the unrest in the community with all of the money that is flowing into Goulburn by way of promises from both sides.

"I think there is a lot of apathy and it will come down to preferences.

"I don't think the seat will be won by the Liberal Party or the Labor Party, it will be won by the candidate that locals think will best represent them in the next parliament."

Meantime, Bungonia district grazier Bill Dobbie said he was impressed by how the electorate was now marginal.

"The offers of funding for various things have been ramped up considerably," he said.

"The Liberals now want to upgrade the railway lines and there's competition over funding for the hospital. Overall, I think the seat is better for being marginal."

At Bungonia itself, Labor had promised $50,000 to build public toilets if elected.

Mr Dobbie said this was greatly needed because of the increased traffic on Main Road 92 and the fact that there were no public toilets between Bungonia and the coast.

The council had condemned the public toilets in the park.

He did not believe there had been enough emphasis on rural issues throughout the campaign.

"The government has come into a lot of money through the sale of the poles and wires and stamp duty, but it's spending it in Sydney," Mr Dobbie said.

As a polymer chemist he said it was "laughable" for the government to suggest that the stadiums' seating could catch fire: "To knock down perfectly good stadiums is ludicrous."

Generally, he argued Sydney's planning was "atrocious" and the regions should be used much more to help solve the housing crisis.

Similarly, there was no commitment from either party for a very fast train.

Mr Dobbie predicted a "very close" election, but said he wouldn't be surprised if Labor candidate Dr Ursula Stephens won.

"I met Wendy and she's a very nice, highly capable person, but name recognition plays a big role and she hasn't been around that long," he said.

"Angus Taylor had a good 18 months to make himself known (in Hume). Wendy hasn't had that luxury and it hasn't been good for her.

"This will come down to the wire and we may not know the results for a week.

"Goulburn has been a conservative seat since 1965 and it will be a quantum change if Labor wins it, but it won't be easy."

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Ray White Real Estate principal Justin Gay was not predicting an outcome, but said it would be either Mrs Tuckerman or Dr Stephens.

"I think they're the only two people worthy ... the only ones able to do the hard yards. The others have full-time jobs," he said.

Mr Gay, too, believed Mrs Tuckerman hadn't been around Goulburn long enough and if the Liberals lost, this would be the determining factor.

"I don't think she's earned her stripes locally, but for Ursula, this is her second time running and she's been here for quite some time," he said.

People needed to know more about the candidates and only a certain demographic had attended the various public forums, he said.

Health, education and aged care were his top three issues, but so too was support for Goulburn and region.

The election will be held this Saturday, March 23.

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