Goulburn Chamber of Commerce to question mayor over Wakefield Park

These two 'hot topics' will come in for close questioning at the Goulburn Chamber of Commerce meeting next month.

President Darrell Weekes said new mayor, Peter Walker and council general manager, Warwick Bennett had been invited to the online event at 7.30am on Wednesday, February 9.

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They will address members about plans and priorities for the coming year. New councillor, Steve Ruddell, a chamber member, will also speak, along with Goulburn Performing Arts manager, Raina Savage.

Mr Weekes said while the meeting was primarily aimed at learning more about the council's plans for business, he expected many questions about the recent mayoral election.

Cr Walker toppled mayor of the past five years, Bob Kirk, in a narrow five to four vote. Cr Kirk has since said he was "insulted" by the result, not just personally but for the community who "sent a very clear judgement on the leadership issue via the election process."

Cr Kirk topped the poll with 4000 votes and argued he had not "blotted his copy book" in any way. He told The Post that councillors appeared to have decided their vote before the January 11 meeting.

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Mr Weekes said the chamber was apolitical and had no view on who should be mayor.

"(But) it has been a hot topic of discussion and it's fair to say, a surprise for some people," he said.

"The committee was surprised by the result but we support whomever is mayor. It's a democratic process. We're here to support business and lobby for their interests."

He expected many questions about this and Wakefield Park. The Braidwood Road raceway became a key council election issue, with community members questioning candidates on their stance.

The facility's development application to build new infrastructure and expand its range of offerings was approved in July. But operators, Benalla Auto Group, subsequently launched NSW Land and Environment Court proceedings objecting to noise conditions they maintained would render the raceway unviable. This is set for March 8 to 10.

Management has also since threatened to take the operation to Canberra.

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Mr Weekes said members were very concerned, given Wakefield's significant economic spin-offs to Goulburn and district.

"I don't think any of the council candidates understood the Wakefield Park issue," he told The Post.

"...I didn't hear anything of substance from any candidate on their support or otherwise for it and what they were going to do. I know some were pulled up directly on it and as far as I could see, no one clearly articulated where they stood."

However several newly elected councillors, including Steve Ruddell and Jason Shepherd, said they voted for Cr Walker as mayor in part because they wanted to revisit the matter before it reached court. Andrew Banfield also supported Wakefield's continuation and voted for Cr Walker.

Mr Weekes said members of the Retired Police Officers Association were also worried about its future and had approached the Chamber.

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In addition, Chamber members want the Goulburn to Crookwell rail trail trail to proceed, given the economic opportunities. The council is still trying to gain funding and government support for the 56km route. Late last year, it was unsuccessful in a $7 million Building Better Regions grant application but has won other funding and together with Upper Lachlan Shire, allocated its own money to the project.

"We are keen to see it go ahead," Mr Weekes said.

"It will be a tremendous boost for the economy. We just need to remove the emotion from it and talk about the practical applications."

The Chamber regularly invites the mayor of the day to update members on issues.

Mr Weekes said the organisation wanted strong relationships and communication with the council, but he felt some of the latter had been lost in recent years.

The February meeting will be livestreamed on the Chamber's Facebook page.

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