Goulburn CBD beautification continues amid car parking review

The turf was initially laid in the median in front of Belmore Park as a trial. Now the council will continue the work on the remaining CBD blocks.

"So far we have received a remarkable amount of feedback about the trial, with the majority of this being positive" council general manager Warwick Bennett said.

"The turf breaks up the large amount of concrete in the CBD, and, along with the newly planted trees and our planter boxes, adds a lot of greenery to the area. If our CBD is a nicer place to be in, we will attract more people to the area to enjoy our restaurants, cafes and shops. This is all part of the council's plan with the CBD enhancement projects."

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The council has consulted business owners to minimise disruption. A spokesman said traffic flow would be maintained at all times although there could be small diversions and short delays. Some parking spaces will be utilised by contractors.

Pedestrians are encouraged to use the mid-block crossings and corner crossings to manoeuvre around the CBD throughout the work.

The council hopes to complete the full project next week.

The turf is part of a broader CBD enhancement strategy. Mr Bennett told The Post that colourful annuals were being considered for outside Belmore Park.

"We'll also focus on what the CBD's long-term needs will be," he said.

"This will look at parking, how long the retail strip should be, should we shorten it? What will happen down the far end between Verner and Clinton Streets? Should it become more of a residential/entertainment area as opposed to retail?

"There are all types of questions we want to start a conversation with the community about, particularly the CBD committee and the Chamber of Commerce."

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But he has discounted the need for a previously suggested one-storey car park in Ellesmere Street. Mr Bennett raised the possibility in 2014 and commissioned design of a $2.5 million to $3m facility. It was put on the backburner until 2019 when Mayor Bob Kirk and councillors requested further investigation, given Goulburn's growth.

At the time, several CBD developers were also having difficulty meeting the council's car parking requirements. Cr Kirk argued that with a contributions plan for car parking underway, it could be a catalyst for a facility in Ellesmere Street.

But Mr Bennett said staff undertook a further review of parking needs last November/December. It followed an earlier analysis associated with the performing arts centre in Auburn Street.

"(The review) showed that there is adequate parking in the CBD, albeit perhaps not directly outside the shop you want to go to. People may have to walk 100-150 metres," he said.

"We will be promoting that the council continue its current direction and that there is no need for more car parking in Ellesmere Street in the next four to five years. It has been taken out of all budgets."

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But at Tuesday night's council meeting, Deputy Mayor Peter Walker wanted to know who had decided this.

Mr Bennett replied that he had presumed this because councillors hadn't asked for an allocation in forward budgets.

Cr Walker hoped it would be kept on the agenda, given recent parking pressures around the hospital. This had seen vehicles parking in Cowper Street between Clifford and Goldsmith Streets.

On other fronts, planning staff are also analysing whether Goulburn's CBD can handle denser development.

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Mr Bennett said it was essential that the Chamber, property owners and retailers were "part of the conversation" over the next year.

"The place is humming now. We have less than 10 per cent (shop) vacancy but we want to ask how can we make it even more vibrant," he said.

"We need to ask what they need to attract people to the CBD."

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