The long awaited construction of Goulburn's new Rocky Hill Museum, begins in January.

 

Work is being co-funded by the Federal government's Building Better Regions Fund and the Goulburn Mulwaree Council.

 

Mayor, Bob Kirk is excited by the project, given that when completed, it will allow for larger exhibitions and accommodating touring shows.

 

He says it is important that the work proceed in light of the fact that 25,000 people visit Rocky Hill each year.

 

Federal member, Angus Taylor agrees that the museum is set to become an even bigger tourist drawcard.

 

He says this capacity will come from the increased exhibition space and added storage and education facilities.

 

Confidence in the economy of the Goulburn Mulwaree area is on the up with local job growth of 3.9% during the 2017/18 financial year.

 

According to council, the jobs growth result is on the back of positive retail figures in Goulburn CBD.

 

The December occupancy audit shows Auburn street vacancies down by 15.3 per cent, one of the lowest numbers in recent years.

 

Mayor, Bob Kirk says he is delighted at the figures, but says there is still work to do and projects that council is focused on.

 

Councillor Kirk notes the negative news in relation to the closure of the Coles Distribution Centre and the difficult transition there will be for people employed there.

 

He says however there is time to prepare and for those affected to find other employment.

 

Mayor Kirk says the community can look forward to 2019 being another year where Goulburn Mulwaree can continue to grow and prosper to become a more liveable place.

A 69 year old motorcyclist has died following a crash near Crookwell.

 

Late yesterday morning the man was riding a motorbike in a northwesterly direction on Junction road at Crooked Corner.

 

When near the intersection with the Tuena Creek crossing, he failed to negotiate a left-hand bend and fell to the roadway.

 

Police say the rider hit a guardrail and received fatal injuries.

 

A 58 year old male motorcyclist was travelling south-east at the time and investigations suggest the man may have taken evasive action before clipping the other motorcycle.

 

He came off his bike and sustained shoulder and pelvic injuries and was airlifted to Canberra hospital.

 

Hume police district officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.