Goulburn Mulwaree mayor Bob Kirk is confident the region's trend of housing and construction growth will continue despite the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.
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Development applications for the first six months of 2020 highlight the growth in new dwellings, with 145 new applications in comparison with 101 in the first half of 2019.
"We are positive about the future of our region as highlighted in the Urban and Fringe Housing Strategy where we have planned to cater for approximately 7000 additional residents in Goulburn and Marulan by 2036," Cr Kirk said.
"The 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years were our largest years ever in terms of residential building approvals, and this is continuing in the current financial year despite COVID-19.
"I see this as a great news, as when our construction industry is strong and our population is growing this translates to more money being spent in the cafes, shops and services of our city."
More than $51 million worth of residential buildings have been approved through to the end of March, and this is expected to be on track to match previous financial years, according to Cr Kirk.
The industry has also been bolstered by commercial projects, with the Goulburn Hospital, Goulburn Performing Arts Centre and other public projects injecting more than $157 million in the financial year to date.
The Urban and Fringe Housing Strategy has identified opportunities for an additional 3,500 dwellings across Goulburn and Marulan which are expected to be required through until 2036.
The strategy looks at a combination of further urban residential lots (700sqm or more), large lot residential and some urban infill closer to the Goulburn CBD.
The strategy was deferred by the council at their meeting on April 21 for further consultation with those who made submissions. Two amendments were included by the council at its Tuesday night meeting (June 16).
The strategy will now come back to the council for adoption at the meeting on July 21.
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