Mayoral Column 11th June 2020

Published on 12 June 2020

Demolition begins for the new pool

Demolition of the Goulburn Aquatic & Leisure Centre is set to begin in July, as the project has been brought forward to get underway.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions Council has made the decision to bring the redevelopment project forward three months, and will not be reopening the indoor pool this winter.

I know this is very disappointing for many of our community members who haven’t been able to swim lately, but the best option is to get underway with work. Under the current restrictions we are only permitted one swimmer per lane, which is not feasible due to the high operating costs of an indoor pool.

The great news is we can get work on this brilliant project early, and hopefully we will have the brand new facility open sooner for our swimmers. We will also be looking to undertake any outdoor works during winter, so you can expect the outdoor pool to be open in September.

LED streetlight project

Essential Energy is well underway with the rollout of LED streetlights, with our 3076 lights to be upgraded to more energy efficient technology. The project will save hundreds of thousands of dollars for the region in electricity bills and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The switch to LED technology will see a 770 MWh per year reduction in power use, delivering savings of approximately $38,763 each year in maintenance and electricity costs. Our usual expense for street lighting each year is $495,000.

LEDs are far more energy efficient, require less maintenance and have a significantly longer life. LED streetlights consuming around 17 watts each will replace existing high-energy lights consuming between 50 and 100 watts.

Be wary of Parthenium Weed

We are urging all local landholders, and particularly our rural residents, to be vigilant as Parthenium Weed incursions have been identified in fifteen regions of NSW. The weed is a significant biosecurity risk, and has mainly been spreading through livestock feeding and transported machinery during the drought.

Parthenium grows and spreads rapidly, is dangerous to grazing animals and reduces crop and land values, while each plant can produce up to 15,000 seeds.

More information about Parthenium Weed and how to identify the plant at different growth stages is available from NSW Department of Primary Industries.

If you sight or think you may have identified an incursion of Parthernium Weed please do not touch or remove the weed and contact Goulburn Mulwaree Councils Biosecurity Weeds Department as soon as possible on 4823 4444.