Goulburn Council is considering a new policy covering major development projects, including renewables. Photo: James Coleman.
Building major developments and infrastructure projects in Goulburn might soon come with an extra cost.
At a recent meeting, Goulburn Mulwaree Council (GMC) voted in favour of moving ahead with investigations into creating a community benefit fund for the local government area (LGA).
This is expected to apply to state significant development projects.
During the meeting, councillor Jason Shepherd urged his fellow councillors to support the effort.
“Even though we have our disagreements with these projects moving forward, it’s right that we should position ourselves to take advantage [and] prepare for the inevitable.
“Something’s going to get through … We need to prepare and position [the council] to ensure that the community benefits as much as possible.”
Council documents state this fund would replace the dedicated Goulburn Mulwaree Housing Trust.
It had moved to establish the fund in July 2024, with councillors voting to seek ministerial consent for the entity.
However, the meeting papers state that the release of a Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) guideline document on benefit sharing policies for renewable energy projects has since been released – which means the dedicated housing trust is now considered “too narrow” in its focus.
“Whilst housing can, and should still be a beneficiary, a broader focus that results in outcomes that benefit a wider array of community members would be a more appropriate use of any accumulated funds,” the document states.
“This is consistent with the benefit sharing guideline.”
Councillor Christopher O’Mahony gave his “in principle” support to a community benefit fund, but said the proposed approach risked “conflating” it with the housing trust.
He said the latter “came out of nowhere” and sought further information on its development.
A staff member said it seemed to have been abandoned, as there was limited appetite in the current council to move ahead with the idea.
“I’m not aware of any response [from a NSW Government minister] at the moment,” they said.
“I think we got to the resolution and, I think, the council changed. There was a new election, and given the sentiment among the new councillors, it wasn’t actioned any further.”
They also said they would take on notice his question about a funding commitment, which Cr O’Mahony believed the council had made.
Cr Shepherd said the approach would help the community benefit “as much as possible” from major projects in their area. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Cr O’Mahony also called for GMC to commit to preparing a policy, including giving the public a chance to have their say, before making any commitments around adopting it.
“How can we commit to something if we haven’t consulted? That’s just wrong.”
The council’s vote means that a draft community benefit fund policy will be developed and presented to councillors at a later date.
Community consultation is expected to take place prior to the end of this financial year.
Councillor Bob Kirk described the proposed fund as being another resource for GMC, which the council could put towards paying for “special occasions, special events, special groups”.
But he said there should be limits on its use.
“[It could be] something special, something that we might have on our priority projects list that we can’t fund out of our normal operational budgets … I wouldn’t want to see it, even remotely, fill any budget holes.”
During the discussion, councillor Kevin Smith suggested the fund could be utilised to manage any impacts from major developments.
“I’d like to see the communities that are most affected get a decent slice of the pie.”
The meeting also heard that the Veolia Mulwaree Trust was expected to be separate from the new policy.
The meeting papers point to similar policies being considered by nearby councils, such as Yass Valley Council.
In late 2025, Yass Valley Council decided to knock back its draft Renewable Energy Community-Benefit policy.
At the time, councillors voted to rework the policy and instead launch further consultation with community organisations and stakeholders during 2026.
