A heritage landmark, Mandelson’s of Goulburn was restored in 1999, and more recently given a leafy frame of crepe myrtles and planter boxes along Clinton and Sloane streets. Heritage is a defining tourism asset for Goulburn. Photo: John Thistleton.
Goulburn Mulwaree Council will establish a heritage advisory committee to promote the city and region’s exceptional heritage as a tourist attraction after many years of campaigning from a group of ‘unsung heroes’.
The breakthrough came from new councillor and Deputy Mayor Caitlin Flint’s notice of motion, backed by a compelling address to councillors during a public forum preceding Tuesday night’s council meeting from resident Adrian Beresford-Wylie who said heritage was a major asset of our community.
Councillors unanimously supported the move, which follows years of the Goulburn Heritage Group’s delegations to the council, letters and pleas to establish an advisory group.
Mr Beresford-Wylie said Goulburn’s heritage was a major asset, not a complication or liability which interfered with the planning process.
“Goulburn Mulwaree has more than 650 listed items, twice the average (of other regional centres in NSW),” he said. “Blue Mountains has 400, Wingecarribee has 560, Bathurst has 550,” he said.
“Our abundance of heritage is a comparative advantage for tourism and economic growth, not a liability which hinders development,” he said.
Wollondilly, Wingecarribee and Queanbeyan Palerang all had heritage advisory committees.
“It is not a novel or risky proposal but it is a sensible and valuable step. It is the first recommendation for local council heritage management in the guidelines from the NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage,” he said.
“An advisory committee could be a forum which brings together relevant parties to develop proposals for events and campaigns or coordinate existing but disparate efforts by community groups,” he said. “The council, through the facilitation provided by the committee, would be an engine for tourism and economic activity.”
Designed by the government’s first architect Frances Greenway, the Old Goulburn Brewery is heritage-listed and under restoration. Photo: DTC Photography (David Carmichael).
Mr Beresford-Wylie said Tourism Australia research had found that “rich history and heritage” was the fourth most important factor for the domestic tourism market when choosing a holiday destination – or for overnight visitors and day-trippers.
He said Goulburn could do better in attracting visitors and keeping them entertained by promoting and celebrating its heritage through events and marketing.
Council’s staff, however, warned councillors of the potential of a heritage advisory group slowing development assessments and adding another layer of decision-making to the planning process. In its report on the issue, staff said the council had an independent consultant heritage advisor, who was a qualified heritage architect. Development applications were already referred to the Goulburn Heritage Group and local Aboriginal community and the council provided local heritage grants to encourage maintenance of the city’s heritage.
But Mr Beresford-Wylie said the broad economic benefits from heritage meant that the committee should not be seen as just an additional red tape regulatory burden for council’s planners. “It has to be a practical tool for improving council outcomes and community wellbeing,” he said.
Cr Flint said she had worked alongside the Goulburn Heritage Group in proposing an advisory group for heritage. “One of the things I pledged to do in my election campaign was to find a mechanism to respect, preserve and protect our existing heritage across the region and I firmly believe that better planning, tourism and grant funding decisions will be made if we have a group of valuable community experts guiding not only council’s decisions, but also assisting staff.”
Cr Flint said the council should enjoy the assistance, knowledge, and volunteering time from the Goulburn Heritage Group, “the unsung heroes of our community” who were experts in heritage conservation.
One of many popular heritage buildings, the Goulburn Post Office, designed by colonial architect James Barnet and built by Frederick Horn. Photo: DTC Photography (David Carmichael).
Cr Michael Prevedello, while supporting the motion, presented a different perspective. “My family owned and operated the Mulwaree Private Hotel, now Mandelson’s for 30 years as a boarding house,” he said.
“I know what it is like spending money in the money hungry area of heritage conservation and trying to run a business at the same time. It can at times be unenviable,” he said. Nevertheless, a heritage advisory committee with a balanced view would be a tremendous asset in this city, Cr Prevedello said.
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