Council
23 September, 2026
Council gives retail development the green light
Goulburn-Mulwaree Council has approved a major new retail complex in Hume Street after having previously deferred the matter twice because of concerns over traffic safety.
Goulburn-Mulwaree Council has approved a major new retail complex in Hume Street after having previously deferred the matter twice because of concerns over traffic safety.
Tenants at this stage will include Harvey Norman – which will be relocating from its current location in Auburn Street – as well as Spotlight, Pet Stock, Rebel, Cellarbrations and discount store Choice.
Staff recommended that the Development Application for eight retail premises be approved subject to a range of conditions relating primarily to signage and traffic.
Those conditions included the construction of a left-hand turning lane out of Finlay Road into Hume Street to help manage queue times.
The applicant will also be required to continue its discussions with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) over any upgrades that may be required in Hume Street.
While Finlay Road is a local road, Hume Street is TfNSW-controlled asset.
TfNSW is investigating an upgrade of the intersection but is yet to secure funding for detailed design or construction and an upgrade is unlikely to occur for several years at least.
Council staff said there has been “extensive assessment, consultation and negotiation with the applicant and other stakeholders” since the DA was last considered in June.
“On balance, the proposal is considered to represent an acceptable planning outcome that will support investment, employment opportunities and the continued development of the Hume Street precinct,” they said in a report prepared for the September meeting.
“Accordingly the application is recommended for approval, subject to the recommended conditions of consent.”
The staff recommendation – moved by Councillor Bob Kirk and seconded by Cr Jason Shepherd – was passed unanimously.
Cr Kirk said he was pleased to be able to move the motion.
He said council had deferred it twice “always knowing there was a solution down the track”.
Cr Kirk said the conditions in the staff report addressed the outstanding ‘bugbears’ and described it as a “good outcome”.
Cr Shepherd said the project would be “good for Goulburn and development in this area”.
“The potential for growth in this area is outstanding,” Cr Smith said.
Some councillors questioned the ongoing risk of a serious accident at the Finlay Road/Hume Street intersection given the concerns raised by neighbouring business owners.
They were told “you can never say never” but council had done everything it could and the addition of a left-hand turning lane would help lower the risk.
Dealer principal at Goulburn Country Motors, David Albrighton isn’t convinced the staff recommendations will adequately address the traffic safety issue.
Mr Albrighton – who addressed council’s public forum on September 8 – said he supported development and he supported this particular proposal – but adding an extra lane in Finlay Road wouldn’t resolve the underlying issue
He said accidents happened at the intersection “on a regular basis” and the proposed retail development had the potential to increase the risk of crashes.
“What happens if we get this wrong?” he asked councillors on Tuesday night.
“‘I told you so’ could mean another serious injury or even worse a fatality.”
Cr Caitlin asked if there was an opportunity to start talking to the Minister for Roads and to get “ahead of the game”.
As a result council added to the original recommendation and also resolved to advocate to TfNSW “requesting the prioritisation of the upgrade to the Hume Street and Finlay Road intersection”.
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