Minutes of the Tourist Attraction Signposting Assessment Committee and the Southern Region Subcommittee

Transcription

1 Minutes of the Tourist Attraction Signposting Assessment Committee and the Southern Region Subcommittee Wednesday 19 September 2012 at the Visitor Centre, Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens, Batemans Bay Members David Douglas Wayne Wilson Maria Zannetides Regional Coordinator TASAC and Drive, Destination NSW Policy Manager Road User Guidance, Roads & Maritime Services (RMS) TASAC Secretariat Southern Region Subcommittee Tom Phillips Executive Officer, South Coast RTO Peter Bache RMS Southern Region Also present Andrew Greenway Ahmed Awil Sean Haylan Ben Harnwell Jemma Wood David Duffy Apologies Anthony Osborne Steve Rosa Sue Elks Geoff Armstrong Graham Perry Diane Johnston Greg Binskin Jessica Aliffi Divisional Manager, Tourism & Economic Development, Eurobodalla Shire Council Bega Valley Shire Council Tourism Manager, Yass Valley Council A/Tourism Manager, Shoalhaven City Council Tourism Online Administrator, Shoalhaven City Council Senior Visitor Services Officer, South Coast Region, NPWS Sapphire Coast Tourism Executive Manager Tourism Manager, Tourism Southern Highlands Manager Community Programs & Visitor Services, NPWS, Coastal Branch Traffic Officer, Eurobodalla Shire Council Inland NSW RTO Tourism Manager, Shellharbour Tourism Tourism Wollongong Destination Marketing Officer, Goulburn Visitor Information Centre AGENDA ITEMS 1. DELEGATIONS / PRESENTATIONS & REGIONAL SIGNPOSTING ISSUES 1.1 Australia s Coastal Wilderness Way proposal Ahmed updated the meeting on progress with a proposal by Peter Tegart, General Manager of Bega Valley Shire to establish a touring route from Wallaga Lake to East Gippsland. Ahmed noted that the proposal is being progressed in partnership with Tourism Australia and the Commonwealth National Parks and Wildlife Service and that an Experience Development Strategy has been completed. In addition, the drive would follow part of the southern NSW coastline which has been identified as a national landscape named Australia s Coastal Wilderness by Tourism Final 4 October of 15

2 Australia. Further investigations will be undertaken to determine potential tourism experiences for further development. In response the Committee commented that it would appear that there is a way to go before tourist signposting for the route could be progressed. In particular, the additional information that was requested in TASAC s letter to Peter of 30 September 2011 is needed, including clarification of the following aspects: 1. Major tourist attractions along the touring route. 2. The structure of the management committee responsible for the touring route. 3. A marketing strategy for the touring route. 4. Funding arrangements for the promotion of the touring route and the erection and ongoing maintenance of any tourist signs. 1.2 Grand Pacific Drive proposed changes to design of some signs Melissa Davis, Marketing Coordinator at Destination Wollongong has written to TASAC to seek advice about possible changes to the Grand Pacific Drive s (GPD) reassurance signs. It is understood that there are 11 such signs and, in accordance with RMS signage design guidelines, the signs feature the GPD logo and names and distances for up to five destinations or attractions. Destination Wollongong would like the signs to be changed so that instead of the existing small logo, each sign used the full version of the logo, which includes the drive s name. The full logo also includes the words Sydney to Wollongong and Beyond below the drive s name but it is understood that they do not necessarily wish this to be included on the reassurance signs. Tom outlined his recollections of RMS s intentions for the design of signage for touring routes such as GPD. RMS limits the use of a touring route s name to the beginning and end of the route and does not allow it to be used on any signs along the route to avoid confusion between gazetted road names and the name of a touring route. Grand Pacific Drive is not a gazetted road name. Instead, it is the marketing name of a touring route that traverses numerous roads, each with its own gazetted road name. Importantly, these road names are not changed by the establishment of a named touring route. The Tourist Signposting Manual (Version 4.0 page 90) notes that in such cases the touring route name is not displayed on any guide signs after the information bay which is located at each end of a touring route. Therefore, signs for touring routes are designed so that motorists navigate the route by following a symbol or logo unique to that route, and not by reference to the name of the touring route, other than at the start and finish. During the discussion it was also noted that the proposed changes would require new reassurance signs to be installed at each of the 11 locations because it is unlikely that the existing signs could be altered to add the additional information. The reassurance signs are large and the cost of new signs would be significant. The requested changes to the GPD reassurance signs are outside the Tourist Signposting Manual s design guidelines for touring routes and are therefore not supported. Secretariat to respond to the inquiry as above. Final 4 October of 15

3 1.3 Eurobodalla signage issues (a) Waldrons Swamp Rest Area (between Moruya and Batemans Bay) Peter advised that RMS would consider Andrew s suggestion to include information within the rest area to inform visitors about the location of nearby camping areas. Andrew hopes that this would discourage people from using the rest area as a camping site. RMS is planning to upgrade the rest area and Eurobodalla Council was asked to write to RMS about its proposal. (b) Town Entry signs The policy for town entry signs was discussed (more details are at pages 33 and 94 of the Tourist Signposting Manual) and Andrew was asked to continue to liaise with Peter about the redesign of its town and LGA entry signs. 1.4 Members report on site inspections David and Wayne made the following observations arising from their site inspections in the Batemans Bay area and environs the day before the meeting. i. Elysium Native Fruit Wines The attraction has tourist signs on the Princes Hwy but there are no follow up signs to direct visitors to the entry. Small sandwich boards which are set up for this purpose and hard to read, low to the ground and are not adequate for the purpose. RMS Southern region to contact the operator to arrange for the required signage. ii. Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens - Peter has designed new signs featuring the attraction s full name. It was noted that the north bound intersection sign is currently located on the eastern side of the highway, which is not ideal. Peter agreed to consider whether it could be relocated it to the western side of the highway. Council could also consider installing a billboard at the entry facing north bound vehicles, similar to the one that exists for south bound vehicles. Peter and Andrew to inspect locations for the new signage after the meeting. iii. Murramarang Resort (South Durras) This provides caravan, camping and villa accommodation but it has white on brown tourist signposting instead of service symbol signage. RMS Southern region to contact the operator about replacing the existing signage with service symbols. iv. It was noted that seaside towns (e.g. South Durras and Mollymook) have white on brown tourist signs in advance of the relevant intersection but white on green destination signs at the intersection. Wayne to check RMS s signage design guidelines and confirm the position. Final 4 October of 15

4 v. Pigeon House Existing tourist signage for this is located between Ulladulla and Batemans Bay, which indicates that it is 26 km from the highway. This is a more remote than allowed under current tourist signposting guidelines. David explained that the signage refers to Pigeon House Mountain, which is within Morton National Park. NPWS to consider its signage requirements for Morton National Park and apply to TASAC if changes to existing signs are needed. vi. Ulladulla Visitor Information Centre There are two visitor information centres in Ulladulla, a level 2 centre at the library / civic centre and another level 3 centre in the southern part of the town. It was noted that only the level 2 centre was eligible for its existing road signage and the road signage for the other centre should be removed. The situation is complicated because the level 2 centre is to be closed soon for refurbishment and it is possible that it may be temporarily relocated to the other location while this occurs. Secretariat to list the matter for further consideration at the March 2013 TASAC meeting. vii. Ulladulla 2ST/Power FM The station has visitor radio signage but plays music and does appear to provide any visitor information. Similarly, the broadcasts of 2EC/Power FM in Bega, which also has existing visitor radio signage, do not appear to meet the signposting requirements. Secretariat to invite the operators of both radio stations to reapply so that eligibility can be reviewed. viii. Mollymook The town has seaside village signage in advance of the intersection that advises motorists to turn right in 400 m. However, the distance to the intersection appears to be greater than this. Peter to check the signage and inform Maria who will request Council to submit a new application if new signage is warranted. ix. Lake Tabourie Tourist Park A sign for this facility was observed to be lying on the ground. In any case, the park would be eligible for service symbols and not tourist signage. RMS Southern region to liaise with Kevin Sullivan at Shoalhaven City Council and take action as appropriate. x. Bawley Point Seaside Town The existing signage is faded and unserviceable. Shoalhaven City Council to reapply to TASAC to allow the signage to be upgraded. xi. xii. Batemans Bay AVIC The centre was hard to find using existing signage and a number of signs appeared to be missing. Peter explained that RMS has produced new signs, which will be installed soon. Oaks Range Country Club Peter has spoken to the operator of the club about its existing unauthorised tourist signage. RMS Southern region to remove the unauthorised signage. Final 4 October of 15

5 2. NEW TOURIST SIGNPOSTING APPLICATIONS 2.1 Historic Junee The town of Junee is built around the railway and its promotion as a visitor destination relies on and embraces its rail heritage. Junee has a number of significant historic buildings, which have been preserved, that are directly linked to the Transport theme These include the grand railway station and railway refreshment rooms (now a popular café); the Railway Roundhouse and adjoining railway museum; the 360 degree railway spiral; Loftus B&B; and Broadway Museum. In addition, the development of many of the town s elegant and impressive heritage streetscapes can also be linked to the significance of Junee as a railway town. Information has been provided to demonstrate that a number of systems are in place to assist visitors to experience and understand Junee s heritage and the important contribution of its railway including: Self-guided heritage walk brochures east side and west side walks: These were redone in 2011 and provide a comprehensive guide to the heritage buildings within the Junee town centre and explain how the railway divided the town and influenced its development. Also, six significant heritage items are marked with interpretive panels. Junee Visitor Guide: The guide highlights the town s historic significance and showcases the many heritage attractions. Council website: The website includes a heritage section and lists heritage products and heritage places of interest. Rhythm n Rail Festival: The festival was established to showcase the town s rail heritage and is held each year in March. Junee Local Environmental Plan 1992 includes heritage provisions to conserve heritage items and heritage conservation areas. Nineteen heritage items are listed in Schedule 1 of the plan. The application was referred to the Office of Environment and Heritage on 29 August for review and advice. Historic Junee is eligible for tourist signposting in the Historic Towns Villages and Precincts category subject to the views of the Office of Environment and Heritage. Secretariat to advise the applicant and RMS South West region as above. 2.2 Honeycomb Valley Farm, Nabiac The attraction has been established with funding assistance from both the State and Federal Governments. It comprises a Native Bee Sanctuary; an ethno-botanical (useful plants) garden; a tasting deck; sun bakery (solar ovens); and farm animals (chickens, alpacas, cows, goats, sheep and horses). The farm has been operating for booked bus groups over the past few years and recently opened for unbooked visitors. It is open from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm Friday to Tuesday during all months. Additionally, it is open on Wednesday and Thursday during school holidays. Final 4 October of 15

6 Features of the property include: Native bees live in a specially created Bee Motel with species appropriate habitat. Free-range chickens are house in colourful recycled caravans (called Hens on Holidays ). Compost worms are displayed in high-rise towers. Specific gardens have been landscaped into groupings such as a Dye Garden (full of plants that can naturally dye clothes and lips); a Bathroom Garden (with toothache plants, cotton wool plants etc); an Aromatherapy Garden; and a large Bush Tucker garden. The largest solar oven in Australia is displayed and used on site, and there is also a display of smaller solar ovens, dehydrators and solar kettles. Visitors are individually welcomed by staff who can assist them to access reference material. Self guided tours are available during opening hours. On entry visitors are provided with a map detailing the layout of the 5 acre portion of the farm that is accessible to visitors. The map has a schematic layout on one side and explanatory information on the other. It highlights the Bee Motel, the solar cooking area, the farm animal and petting area and the extensive gardens. The tour includes an explanation of the symbols used on plant signage. Twenty one colour posters and signs explain the displays and features of the farm, including information about native bees, the bee motel, the garden, solar cooking and farm animals. Each plant in the ethno-botanical garden has a sign identifying its botanical and common name, along with its uses. Many signs have a QR Code so that anyone with a smart phone (or they can borrow one on entry) can access more information on the plant, animal, insect or features they are looking at. Some interpretative material is displayed on the side of the ticket office/farmgate shop which has been built into a recycled shipping container. Kerry Johnstone, Tourism Development Officer at Greater Taree City Council has provided a site inspection report, which supports the application. Honeycomb Valley Farm is eligible for tourist signposting in the Primary and Secondary Industry category. Secretariat to advise the applicant and RMS Hunter region as above. 2.3 Shellharbour Village (Seaside Towns & Villages) Diane Johnston, Tourism Manager, Shellharbour Tourism has lodged an application for Seaside Town signage for Shellharbour Village. The village is south of Wollongong and north of Kiama. The village centre is located east of the Princes Hwy and west of Grand Pacific Drive. It is 1.2 km from the nearest main traffic corridor (Princes Hwy) and 1.2 km from the coast and offers the following services: Accommodation motels, caravan park, B&Bs, holiday houses and units. Shops Level 1 AVIC Mechanic shop Exhibition space, galleries. The Committee members were satisfied that the village provides an appropriate variety of visitor services and that its location justified signposting as a seaside village. Wayne advised that the Final 4 October of 15

7 location of seaside village tourist signage (white on brown) would be in advance of the intersection of Shellharbour Road and Addison Street and that upgraded destination signage (white on green) would also be provided at the intersection under RMS s MAB signage program. During the discussion it was noted that Shellharbour Council had raised the possibility with Destination Wollongong of the Grand Pacific Drive touring route being varied to pass through Shellharbour Village. However, Destination Wollongong (the initiator of the touring route) does not support the suggestion. Tom commented that this position may not have been representative of the views of the drive s management committee and that this matter may need to be revisited by that committee. It was also acknowledged that the proposal, if implemented, would increase traffic through Shellharbour village and the traffic management implications of the proposal would need to be addressed. Shellharbour Village is eligible for tourist signposting in the Seaside Towns and Villages category. Secretariat to inform the applicant and RMS Southern region as above. 3. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF 15 AUGUST 2012 The minutes of TASAC s meeting of Wednesday 15 August 2012 with the Sydney Region Subcommittee in Windsor were confirmed. The Committee members and Secretariat advised that they had completed all the actions attributed to them from the meeting. 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 4.1 Calmsley Hill City Farm, Abbotsbury Following receipt of a site inspection report from Fairfield City Council, which supported the Calmsley Hill City Farm application, the Secretariat completed the assessment process and advised the applicant of the outcome by letter dated 11 September TASAC noted that Calmsley Hill City Farm is eligible for tourist signposting in the Outdoor Based (Zoos and Nature Reserves) category and that the applicant and RMS Sydney region have been advised. 4.2 Clonakilla Winery, Murrumbateman Following receipt of the winery s brochure, the Secretariat completed the assessment process and advised of the applicant of the outcome by letter dated 22 August TASAC noted that Clonakilla Winery is eligible for tourist signposting in the Wineries category and that the applicant and RMS Sydney region have been advised. 4.3 Woolgoolga Art Gallery The Secretariat has received a site inspection report from Brian Bowers, Coffs Coast Visitor Centre, which supports the Woolgoolga Art Gallery signage application. Museums and Galleries NSW has similarly advised of its support. Final 4 October of 15

8 Woolgoolga Art Gallery is eligible for tourist signposting in the Galleries category Secretariat to inform the applicant and inform RMS Northern region. 4.4 Mindaribba LALC Cultural Centre Non-standard signs for this facility were observed prior to the June meeting held in Maitland. The operator has not responded to two letters (6 July and 22 August) requesting that a new application be submitted. The second letter advised that TASAC would request RMS to remove the existing signage if an application was not received by 31 August. In the circumstances RMS Hunter region was requested to remove the existing signage on 10 September. RMS Hunter region to remove the signage and inform the Secretariat after this has been done. 4.5 Former Australian Opal Museum, Kurrajong Heights Following the August meeting in Windsor, Maria contacted Jan Perks, previous operator of this business. Jan confirmed that the business closed some years ago and that she arranged for existing tourist signage to be removed. Maria advised John Rozos, RMS Sydney Region of the position. RMS to inspect the locality to ensure that all signage has been removed. 5. INQUIRIES RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING The following inquiries received in the period since the last meeting were noted: 5.1 Hawkesbury Cruises and Riverboat Postman, Brooklyn 5.2 Murray Valley National Park 5.3 Murrumbidgee Valley National Park 5.4 Porters Creek Dam, Yatte Yattah 5.5 Pointer Gap Lookout, Yatte Yattah 5.6 Corowa Whisky and Chocolate Factory 5.7 Historic Junee 5.8 Killcare Seadside Village 5.9 Diamond Estate Winery, Mittagong 5.10 Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, Raymond Terrace 5.11 Emu Creek Extreme Retreat, near Tenterfield 5.12 Copeton Waters State Park, Inverell 5.13 Puttabucca Wetlands, Mudgee 5.14 Fedra Olive Grove, Collector 6. POLICY ISSUES 6.1 Tourist Drives in Eurobodalla LGA Former TD 4 (Wagonga Scenic Drive) and Former TD 6 (Princes Hwy-Central Tilba-Tilba Tilba- Princes Hwy) Final 4 October of 15

9 The drives were deleted in Council s Geoff Armstrong has advised that all signage has been removed for both the above drives and he understands that Council s tourism staff have arranged for all promotional material to be amended to remove references to the two drives. Actions: (a) Andrew to check and advise about progress with amendments to the promotional material to remove references to the drives. (b) RMS Southern region to confirm that signage for the drives on RMS roads has been removed by 22 February TD 5 (Princes Hwy Dalmeny-Kianga-Princes Hwy) and TD 7 (Batemans Bay-Batehaven-Broulee-Moruya Heads-Moruya) Council has completed audits of signage along Tourist Drives 5 and 7 and quotations for the supply and installation of signage have been received. Signage in the Mossy Point/Broulee area was upgraded recently. Signage elsewhere will be upgraded progressively. David and Wayne inspected Tourist Drive 7 drive prior to the meeting and reported that it is not signposted in advance of the intersection of the Princes Highway and Beach Road in Batemans Bay and there is no reassurance sign. They also noted that RMS records show that the drive followed George Bass Drive from Batemans Bay to Moruya but the new signposting takes motorists closer to the coast in the vicinity of Mossy Point and Broulee. TASAC does not object to this apparent change of route, though it is important to ensure that the route as signposted is accurately shown on all promotional material. At the March 2012 meeting it was noted that both the drives are promoted in Council s Drives and Lookouts brochure and it is understood that the routes are shown on Cartoscope (free of charge) and Craigie s (available for purchase) maps. However, while the Cartoscope map shows the routes, it does not give the route numbers and does not show the revised route adopted by Eurobodalla Council to pass through Mossy Point and Broulee. Actions: (a) Andrew to review the promotional material to ensure that the routes shown on visitor maps match the routes as signposted. (b) Andrew to arrange for maps that show the tourist drives and their numbers to be available free of charge to visitors. (c) Peter to contact Geoff to confirm that the new sign designs meet RMS standards and that appropriate advance and reassurance signs are installed at both ends of all drives. (d) Andrew, Geoff and Peter to provide updates by 22 February 2013 for consideration at the 20 March 2013 TASAC meeting. TD 8 (Princes Hwy-Wallaga Lake-Bermagui-Cobargo) shared with Bega Valley Eurobodalla Council has completed an audit of signage along the drive. However, the drive would not be required if the touring route proposal discussed at item 1.1 above is realised. 6.2 Tourist Drives in Bega Valley LGA TD 8 (Princes Hwy-Wallaga Lake-Bermagui-Cobargo) shared with Eurobodalla TD 9 (Princes Hwy-Wallaga Lake-Bermagui-Tathra-Bega) and TD 11 (Bega-Tathra-Merimbula-Pambula) Final 4 October of 15

10 Tourist Drives 8 and 9 would be replaced by the touring route proposal discussed at 1.1 above. Ahmed explained that Council s asset team has completed signage audits for the drives and Council is working with Anthony Osbourne of Sapphire Coast Tourism to rationalise signage. He added that the signage along Tourist Drive 11 has also been audited but no decisions have been taken about the next steps. Sapphire Coast Tourism is also managing the process of preparing new promotional information for Bega Valley s tourist drives. Bega Valley Council to provide a further update by 22 February Former TD 10 (Princes Hwy-Kameruka-Candelo-Cathcart-Towamba-Eden) The drive was deleted in It was noted that signs on the highway have been removed. Ahmed to advise by 22 February 2013 whether signage on local roads has been removed. 6.3 Tourist Drives in Shoalhaven LGA TD 4 (Falls Creek-Huskisson-St George s Basin-Princes Hwy) TD 5 (Berry to North Nowra via Coolangatta) TD 7 (Berry to North Nowra via Kangaroo Valley Rd and Cambewarra Rd) TD 8 (Albion Park to North Nowra via Macquarie Pass and Kangaroo Valley) shared with Wingecarribee and Shellharbour) In the last six months Shoalhaven Council has undertaken comprehensive audits of its tourist drives, including portions of drives that extend into other council areas. Shoalhaven s audits record the location and condition of the drives signs, include a photo and note where signs might be missing. For signs in its area, the audit reports also recommend appropriate remedial actions. The audits have been referred to RMS Southern region for advice on designs to upgrade or reinstate signs. As a result of the audit Council has decided to delete Tourist Drive 5 and proposes to arrange for the signage to be removed. Council is also proposing to amend the route of Tourist Drive 7 to improve it for motorists towing caravans. Shoalhaven Council also proposes to prepare new promotional material for its drives using Tourism Southern Highlands tourist drive brochures and map as a model. Council has employed a graphic designer to work on the maps for the new promotional material. Jemma has shared the information she collected for TD 8 with Shellharbour Council. TASAC commended Shoalhaven City Council on the progress it has made to bring its drives to the required standard. Council s decisions to remove Tourist Drive 5 and amend Tourist Drive 7 are supported. Action (a) RMS Southern region to share the TD 8 audit information with Wingecarribee. (b) Ben to provide a further update by 22 February Final 4 October of 15

11 6.4 Tourist Drives in Kiama LGA TD 9 (Kiama to Robertson via Jamberoo Pass) shared with Wingecarribee Bryan Whittaker, Kiama s Director of Engineering & Works, informed Maria that Council is currently obtaining estimates to replace signage along TD 9 and that it intends to complete the work by 30 June Bryan also forwarded a copy of some existing promotional information for the drive, which is part of the suite of information for Grand Pacific Drive. TASAC members noted that the literature includes a good description of the drive but that the map is very general and only shows a portion of the drive. Also see 6.6 below. (a) RMS Southern region to liaise with Kiama Council about the new signs to ensure that the proposed designs meet RMS standards. (b) Secretariat to inform Bryan that the current promotional information is not adequate and that it needs to include a better map of TD 9 and suggest that Kiama work with Wingecarribee to achieve this. (c) Bryan to provide a further update by 22 February Tourist Drives Shellharbour LGA TD 8 (Albion Park to North Nowra via Macquarie Pass and Kangaroo Valley) shared with Wingecarribee and Shoalhaven) Diane Johnstone, Tourism Manager Shellharbour Tourism, informed Maria that the drive is an item to be undertaken in the 2012/13 financial year and that it is also noted in Council s Marketing Action Plan. Signage is to be replaced or installed as necessary. The marketing plan for the drive (both printed and website information) and is also in the process of being updated. Also see 6.3 above and 6.6 below. Diane to provide a further update by 22 February Tourist Drives in Wingecarribee LGA Former TD 13 (Goulburn-Taralga-Wombeyan-Mittagong) This drive, which was shared between Wingecarribee, Goulburn Mulwaree and Upper Lachlan LGAs, has been removed. However, it is understood that some signs still remain on both the Hume Highway (coming in to Goulburn northbound) and local roads. (a) (b) RMS Southern region to remove all signs for the drive on State roads; Secretariat to request the three councils to remove signs on local roads and withdraw any promotional material. TD 8 (Albion Park to Nth Nowra via Macquarie Pass and Kangaroo Valley) shared with Shoalhaven and Shellharbour) TD 9 (Kiama to Robertson via Jamberoo Pass) shared with Kiama TD 14 (Mittagong to Sutton Forest via Moss Vale) Final 4 October of 15

12 TD 15 (Moss Vale-Fitzroy Falls-Robertson-Bowral) TD 17 (Moss Vale-Berrima-Mittagong) TD 16 (Sutton Forest to Marulan via Bundanoon) shared with Goulburn Mulwaree Alex Gale, Wingecarribee s Senior Assets Engineer has advised that Council has commenced its first pass inventory of its drives. This will be followed by detailed inspections at a later date but resource limitations mean that the timing for this is uncertain. Wingecarribee s drives are supported by good quality maps and descriptive information. RMS Southern region has audited Tourist Drive 16 and the results have been provided to Goulburn Mulwaree LGA. Also see 6.4 and 6.5 above regarding TD 9 and TD 8. (a) RMS Southern region to provide its audit of TD 16 to Wingecarribee Council. (b) Alex to provide a further update by 22 February Tourist Drives in Goulburn Mulwaree LGA TD 8 (Goulburn to Federal Hwy via Lake Bathurst, Tarago, Bungendore and Smiths Gap) - shared with Palerang TD 16 (Sutton Forest to Marulan via Bundanoon) shared with Wingecarribee Council is considering the audit of both drives, which was prepared by RMS Southern region. Council prepared promotional material for both drives in 2011 but this does not include a map of the drives. Jessica Aliffi, Council s Destination Marketing Officer, offered to see what might be done to include a map. See also 6.6 above regarding TD 16. Jessica to provide an update by 22 February Tourist Drives in Palerang LGA TD 8 (Goulburn to Federal Hwy via Lake Bathurst, Tarago, Bungendore and Smiths Gap) - shared with Goulburn Mulwaree See 6.7 above. RMS Southern region to provide its audit of TD 8 to Palerang Council. 6.9 Former Tourist Drive 4 (Cooma-Braidwood-Captains Flat-Queanbeyan) This drive, which was shared between Cooma, Monaro, Palerang and Queanbeyan LGAs, was deleted in RMS Southern region to advise on progress with removal of signs on its roads by 22 February. Final 4 October of 15

13 6.10 Former Monaro Tourist Drives Former TD1 (Kiandra-Cabramurra-Khancoban-Thredbo-Jindabyne-Snow Resort-Cooma) - Snowy River and Tumbarumba and Former TD 5 (Gilmore-Batlow-Tumbarumba-Kiandra) - Snowy River, Tumbarumba and Tumut The drives were deleted in Peter advised that RMS Southern region has audited the existing signage with a view to developing a program to remove the signs. RMS Southern region to provide further update by 22 February Tourist Drive 7 (Yass-Wee Jasper-Tumut) The drive is shared by Yass Valley, Tumut and Gundagai Councils. Yass Valley and Tumut Councils have advised TASAC that they wish to retain the drive. Gundagai s position requires clarification. Significant portions of the drive are unsealed and visitor expectations of driving experiences have changed since numbered tourist drives were introduced 20 years ago. These days, motorists tend to be less accepting of driving on unsealed surfaces and generally expect to be able to safely follow signs for numbered tourist drives in all weather conditions. Also, two wheel drive vehicles have become lighter and lower to the ground and are less suited to unsealed surfaces. In addition, it is generally a condition of rental vehicle hire agreements that hirers are responsible for damages if vehicles are used on unsealed roads. Sean Haylan addressed the meeting about Yass Valley Council s desire to retain the tourist drive. He advised that the road from Yass to Wee Jasper is sealed but there is a 15 km unsealed section from Wee Jasper to the Tumut LGA boundary. It is understood that most of the drive in Tumut s area is unsealed. In response to an inquiry from the Secretariat about the suitability of the drive from a road safety and traffic engineering perspective, Tumut Council advised that it recognises that that the majority of the road is unsealed. However, it believes that from a tourist perspective the drive offers good farmland and forested vistas along a low trafficked road. Sean tabled letters of support for the continuation of the drive from operators of tourism related businesses in Wee Jasper, who believe that existing tourist drive signage is important to the continued viability of their businesses. Sean also informed the meeting of his Council s commitment to spend $25,000 each year for the next three years to widen and regrade the road but this work does not involving sealing the surface. During the discussion Sean commented that he could find no specific references in TASAC s guidelines requiring tourist drives to follow sealed roads only. In response, the Committee members referred to the changes in community expectations regarding driving experiences mentioned above and explained that road safety and traffic engineering standards are always important considerations in the provision of any tourist signposting. To progress the matter, it was agreed that RMS would conduct a crash link analysis to identify clusters of accidents in the road network affected by the drive and the matter would be further considered at the November TASAC meeting. Depending on the findings of the crash link analysis, a road safety audit of the drive may also be required. Final 4 October of 15

14 In addition, it was noted that if the drive were to be retained, it would be necessary for all three councils to prepare a program to upgrade/replace signs along the drive and prepare appropriate promotional material. While Yass Valley and Tumut Councils have promotional material for the drive, it was agreed that this could be improved. After the road safety considerations have been addressed, Sean indicated that his Council would be prepared to revise the promotional material for the whole drive and to make this available to the other Councils for their use. Action; RMS South West region to undertake a crash link analysis for TD 7 by 31 October and provide it to Maria for consideration at the 14 November TASAC meeting. 7. OTHER BUSINESS 7.1 TASAC Meeting Schedule Please refer to Attachment 1 for the schedule of meetings for the next six months. The next Southern Region meeting will be held in Nowra on 20 March Pacific Highway Tourist Drives 24, 30 and 40 The Committee noted correspondence from Byron Shire Council about the above tourist drives. As the October meeting is to be held at the Council s offices in Mullumbimby, the matter was deferred for consideration at that meeting. The Council s request that the Committee members inspect the tourist drives the day before the meeting was noted. 7.3 Bega Lookout Peter advised that existing signage for Bega Lookout was unserviceable and that the relevant junction is on a crest, making it challenging to safely located tourist signage. Secretariat to request Bega Valley Council to reapply for tourist signage for the Lookout to enable the signage at the location to be rationalised as appropriate. 7.4 Boat Ramp at Broadwater Peter informed the Committee that a boat ramp in Bega Valley Shire at Broadwater had existing tourist signposting. Boat ramps are not eligible for tourist signposting. However, RMS could consider the use of a white on blue service symbol to denote the boat ramp. RMS Southern region to liaise with the Council with a view to removing the tourist signage and installing a service symbol if appropriate. 8. NEXT MEETING Wednesday 17 October in Mullumbimby with the Northern Region Subcommittee. The meeting concluded at 2.10 pm Final 4 October of 15

15 Attachment 1 TASAC Meeting Schedule Region Location Date 2012 Northern Mullumbimby 17 October 2012 South West Deniliquin 14 November 2012 Hunter Kariong 12 December Western Molong 16 January 2013 Sydney Penrith 20 February 2013 Southern Nowra 20 March 2013 Final 4 October of 15