Business Goulburn president Darrell Weekes talks up development

That's the view of Business Goulburn (formerly the Chamber of Commerce) president, Darrell Weekes. He is buoyed by the city's recent acceptance as a member of Regional Cities NSW and has his own ideas on how Goulburn Mulwaree can take its development to the next level.

"Goulburn is perfectly placed for a start-up hub," he said.

"...Why not present ourselves as a technical centre of excellence to support the motor sport industry? We can build on what's already here and attract the electronic and technical support that it needs."

READ MORE:

Goulburn Mulwaree presses case as growing regional city

Goulburn Mulwaree Council to be a part of Regional Cities NSW

Mr Weekes has already had preliminary discussions with NBN. He believes Goulburn's selection late last year as a Business Fibre Zone will be key to this idea and for start-ups elsewhere in town.

It is one of 240 zones being rolled out across Australia under the 'Enterprise Ethernet' program. It allows businesses located in the zone to request a fibre upgrade through their retailer at no upfront cost.

Federal Hume MP Angus Taylor said it would provide more affordable ultra-fast broadband to business. Wholesale symmetrical speeds would range from 10 megabits per second up to one gigabits per second on request.

"Local businesses will be able to access NBN wholesale pricing which is a lot cheaper and more in line with the pricing in our capital cities," he said at the time.

"The estimated annual savings for businesses could be anywhere between $1,000 to $6,000 depending on your internet usage."

ALSO READ: 'No sentence could ever restore Trevor Picker': Driver jailed for death of prominent wool grower

Mr Weekes runs his business consultancy. He said it would cost $11,000 to connect fibre directly to his house but the program would save those upfront costs.

However he sees far wider application for a technical hub backing the area's growing motor sport industry, evident in Wakefield Park, the motorcycle track off Sydney Road and Pheasant Wood Circuit at Marulan. The council's 2017 Employment Lands Strategy also identified land at north Goulburn for a motor sports precinct.

"We have been moving away from our reliance on the public service for a number of years but I can see a place for private enterprise and this high-tech stuff," Mr Weekes said.

"We can't compete on manufacturing because China owns that space. Manufacturing in this country isn't dead but if we can move into the high end technical area, I think there are great possibilities.

"We can build a motor sport park here and if we have the grants, bring related industry to Goulburn because the infrastructure here is better."

He plans to meet with NBN Co's regional manager in coming weeks to discuss Goulburn's needs. NBN is also talking to councils.

Mr Weekes sees possibilities for more start-ups in the CBD given the amount of vacant space, especially in upstairs areas, and for an export hub, tapping into the south Goulburn rail hub and our highway location.

ALSO READ: Out of town buyers snap up district homestead amid buoyant market

"We have the ability to leverage off a convergence of things happening at the moment. It's creating great opportunities for Goulburn and if we have these hubs, we can present a compelling case as a regional centre," he said.

"COVID has taught us we can work remotely very effectively. We just need that high level connectivity."

The council is also taking digital capacity up at a higher level as part of its economic development plan and through Regional Cities NSW.

Goulburn Mulwaree was accepted into the 15 centre network at a March 25 Zoom meeting, which Mayor Bob Kirk and general manager Warwick Bennett attended. Membership includes Armidale, Wagga, Albury, Orange and Dubbo.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Deputy Premier John Barilaro addressed the March forum

Mr Bennett said membership would also enable the council to pursue issues such as the emergency services levy and a State tax reform position paper, which suggests a property tax rather than stamp duty. Mr Bennett said this would have implications for property values here if adopted.

ALSO READ: Truck carrying heavy plant hits powerlines in city's CBD

"We are also talking to Mr Barilaro about the tree change movement and the provision of state government services like schools to ensure we have enough," he said.

"We are working with the Department of Planning to get residential land areas released quickly enough."

The GM described Regional Cities NSW as a good network with "intellectual grunt."

We care about what you think. Have your say in the form below and if you love local news don't forget to subscribe.