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

Transcription

1 Minutes of the Tourist Attraction Signposting Assessment Committee and the Sydney Region Subcommittee Wednesday 15 August 2012 at Rozzoli Room, Deerubbin Centre, 360 George Street, Windsor 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 Sydney Region Subcommittee Wendy Dollin Tourism Development and Events Co-ordinator, Blue Mountains City Council Paul Page Greater Sydney Tourism Inc. John Rozos RMS Sydney Region John Hopper RMS Sydney Region Also present Fiona Mann John Hopper Apologies Phil Oliver Strategic Activities Planner, Hawkesbury City Council RMS Sydney Region RMS Sydney Region AGENDA ITEMS 1. DELEGATIONS / PRESENTATIONS & REGIONAL SIGNPOSTING ISSUES 1.1 Hawkesbury signage issues Fiona raised the following matters: a) Welcome signs Hawkesbury City Council would like to add a panel with a tourism message (a website address) below existing green and buff coloured town entry signs and it also wishes to refresh the existing blue on white local government welcome signs. Paul commented that Penrith City Council is also looking to change its welcome signs to reflect its new branding. Wayne informed the meeting that RMS is reviewing its policy regarding place markers and welcome signs in areas outside the Greater Sydney Region. It is possible that the review may result in changes to the approach to such signage within the Sydney Region. Currently, there is no specific application form for welcome signs. Instead, welcome signs are arranged through a consultation process between the relevant council, RMS and TASAC. Fiona and Paul were invited to Phil Oliver at RMS Sydney Region and Maria about their proposals. Final 29 August of 12

2 b) Signage inquiries Hawkesbury Council refers inquiries it received about signage on State roads to the RMS call centre. However, many inquirers get in touch with Council again because their experience with the call centre is unsatisfactory. During the discussion the distinctions between advertising signage adjacent to the reserve of State roads (which generally requires the approval of the relevant land owner and planning consent from the local government authority) and guide signs within the reserve of State roads were noted. Guide signs include white on green destination signs, white on blue service signs and white on brown tourist signs. Inquiries about destination and service signs should be directed to Bob O Keefe, RMS Manager Traffic Policies, Guidelines & Legislation on Inquiries for signs for major tourist attractions may be directed to Maria at the TASAC Secretariat on Problems with the use of variable message boards were also discussed and it was noted that the boards should only be used to inform motorists of changes to roads due to road works or special events. c) Former Tourist Drives The signs for tourist drives in Hawkesbury City have been removed following a decision taken at the August 2011 TASAC meeting. 1.2 Members report on site inspections Wayne and David made the following observations arising from their site inspections in the Windsor area and environs the day before the meeting. i. No white on brown tourist signs were observed for the Hawkesbury Regional Museum other than small blade signs. TASAC assessed the museum to be eligible for signposting as a major tourist attraction in August Fiona commented that the museum s management may have deferred signage installation until after completion of a project to realign the Windsor Bridge. ii. A white on brown sign at the intersection of Windsor Road (Bridge Road) and Court Street, Windsor for Tebbutts Observatory and Steffans Restaurant is faded and bent. It was thought that the restaurant had closed and that the business was only open for booked events. Secretariat to request the operator to apply for tourist signposting. iii. The Australian Opal Museum at Kurrajong Heights closed about two years ago but it is understood that its tourist signposting is still in place. Secretariat to contact the operator with a view to RMS removing the existing signage. iv. In June 2011 TASAC determined that an application from Valley View Trail Rides at Grose Vale did not satisfy the eligibility requirements for tourist signposting. The primary concerns were that horse riding needed prior booking and inconsistent information had been given Final 29 August of 12

3 about opening hours/days. However, it is understood that tourist signs for the business are still in place. Secretariat to contact the operator to ascertain the current position. 1.3 Proposed Lookout and Park at Kangaroo Point Rachel Hawke, Public Relations Co-ordinator at Hornsby Shire Council spoke to Maria the day before the meeting about signage on and from the Pacific Highway for a lookout and park which Council is upgrading at Kangaroo Point. The project is expected to be completed by March David mentioned existing tourist signs on the Pacific Highway for the Hawkesbury River Cruise Terminal, which is no longer operating. John Rozos to advise Maria whether the Pacific Highway near Kangaroo Point is an RMS road. If it is, RMS Sydney region is to remove the signs for the terminal and Hornsby Council could apply for signposting for the lookout when it has been redeveloped. If it is a council road, any signage on it is a matter for Hornsby Council. Note: John advised following the meeting that the Pacific Highway at Kangaroo Point is a State Road maintained by RMS. 1.4 Penrith Signage Issues The following signage matters in Penrith City s area were discussed: i. Nepean River Great River Walk Paul advised that the interpretive information at the start of the walk in Weir Reserve has been installed and he will submit an application to TASAC prior to the next Sydney region meeting in February ii. David and Paul will inspect Tench Reserve on the Nepean River prior to the February 2013 TASAC meeting to consider what signposting might be appropriate. 2. NEW TOURIST SIGNPOSTING APPLICATIONS 2.1 Casula Powerhouse Art Centre, Casula Casula Powerhouse Art Centre (CPAC) is a multi-disciplinary arts centre located on the banks of the Georges River. The centre has seven exhibition spaces, artist residencies, a 326 seat theatre and performance space. CPAC, which is operated by Liverpool Council, is a well regarded cultural institution. It is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily, during all months. Access to CPAC is being changed as a result of the construction of the Southern Sydney Freight Line by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). ARTC has submitted a signposting application so that a new signposting can be implemented as soon as possible after the new access arrangements come into effect in October CPAC runs seven exhibitions annually in their six gallery spaces, which cover 856 sq m. The exhibitions represent the work of more than 300 artists about 50 per cent of whom are from the local Final 29 August of 12

4 area and one gallery is dedicated to local artists. Each exhibition is supported by a related education kit, displayed works are professionally labelled and all exhibitions have associated catalogues. Museums and Galleries NSW reviewed the application and advised that it supports the requested signposting. TASAC considered an application from CPAC some years ago and a former member of the Committee had visited the facility. On this basis the need for a site inspection report was waived. During the discussion John Rozos noted that Newbridge Road and Macquarie Street are the nearest State roads to the facility. CPAC is eligible for tourist signposting in the Galleries category. Secretariat to advise the applicant and RMS Sydney region as above. 2.2 Aitken s Australia in the Round, Glenbrook Aitken s Australia in the Round is a painted panorama of iconic Australian destinations or landscapes, which is open from 9 am to 5.30 pm daily during all months. The panorama, which is 6.5 m high, 20 m in diameter and has 200 sq m of painted area, is intended to give visitors an appreciation of Australia s iconic landscapes, many of which are remote and difficult to access. It also seeks to enhance the appreciation and experience of visitors who have visited or will be visiting some of the landscapes it features which include Sydney Harbour, the Great Barrier Reef, the Blue Mountains, Mt Warning and Uluru. Three dimensional foreground objects (conserved animals, rocks and vegetation) are used to enhance and enliven the scenic painted backgrounds. The panorama has been designed as a lookout and visitors observe it from an elevated viewing platform. Each visitor is provided with an A4 leaflet which describes each of the featured landscapes and is available in a number of languages. David and Wayne visited the business the day prior to the meeting and the need for a site inspection report was waived on this basis. They made the following observations arising from their visit: i. There is a small off-street car parking area at the rear of the site that appears to be for staff cars. Kerbside parking for visitors is available along Wascoe Street. ii. iii. iv. Access to the panorama is via an associated café and gift shop. The business has a DL size promotional flyer but this does not give opening hours/days. It also inappropriately uses the logo of the former Tourism NSW on its locality map to denote the location of the Glenbrook Visitor Information Centre, whereas the italic i symbol should be used instead. Also, the centre is incorrectly referred to as the Glenbrook Tourist Information Centre. These errors should be rectified in the next print run of the brochure. The provision of additional freely available interpretive information at the panorama would enhance the visitor experience. For example, such information could include a reference copy of the 2010 publication Famous Australian Painted Panorama ; explanatory labels or information panels to support the painted landscapes and three dimensional items; information about the creation of the artwork; a sound track with commentary; access for Final 29 August of 12

5 visitors to the DVD about the panorama provided with the application; and/or the quick facts about the panorama presented in Blue Mountains Tourism Limited s Group Planner. v. The intersection of Great Western Highway and Ross Street is already relatively crowded with existing structures. vi. Aitken s Australia in the Round, the name requested for tourist signage may not be meaningful or descriptive to visitors unfamiliar with the experience. The preferred name for tourist signposting is Australian Painted Panorama, which is similar to the term used on some of the promotional material and which appears on the front of the building. The application is eligible for tourist signposting in the Other category. Secretariat to advise the applicant and RMS Sydney region as above. 2.3 Sherwood Nature Reserve, Coffs Harbour TASAC members observed existing faded signage for a Flora and Fauna Reserve on the Pacific Highway near Woolgoolga prior to the April TASAC meeting. National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has responded to a request from TASAC to clarify the name and nature of the attraction and has submitted an application for signage for Sherwood Nature Reserve. The former Woolgoolga Flora and Fauna Reserve was incorporated into Sherwood Nature Reserve in A signage application for Sherwood Nature Reserve was endorsed by TASAC in March New signage for the reserve was installed but a sign for the Flora and Fauna Reserve remains in place on Pullen Street west of a roundabout on the Pacific Highway. Sherwood Nature Reserve is open from sunrise to sunset daily during all months. Its landscapes range from rugged sandstone escarpments and coastal ridges with dry open forests and heaths, to sub tropical rainforest gullies. Picnic / barbecue facilities are available in the Woolgoolga Creek picnic area, which is part of the reserve. Visitors are also able to take an easy 3 km return walk from the picnic area to a waterfall through the rainforest along the creek. Sherwood Nature Reserve is eligible for signposting in the National Parks, State Conservation Areas, Forests & Water Storage Areas category. Secretariat to advise the applicant and RMS Northern region as above. 2.4 Lerida Estate, Lake George (Yass Valley LGA) RMS is reviewing existing signage on the Federal Highway and an application was lodged at TASAC s request to allow the eligibility of Lerida Estate to be updated. Currently the signage on the highway refers to Lake George Wineries. The cellar door is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily during all months. It has a 9 ha vineyard and wine is made on site. Comprehensive tasting notes are provided for every wine. Visitors are able to peruse interpretive information on aspects of wine making such as tannins, acids, sugars and vineyard management; a range of books and journals (11 titles have been specified); and a five page document which describes the winery s altitude, aspect, soil, vine care and winemaking. Final 29 August of 12

6 Sean Haylan, Tourism Manager at Yass Valley Council, has agreed to provide a site inspection report. Lerida Estate is potentially eligible for tourist signposting in the Wineries category subject to the receipt of a site inspection report. Secretariat to advise the applicant as above and confirm eligibility and inform RMS Sydney & South West region if appropriate after receipt of a site inspection report. Note: A site inspection report supporting the requested signage was received after the meeting enabling the application to be finalised. 2.5 Lake George Winery, Collector The background to this application is the same as 2.4 above. Lake George Winery has a 20 ha vineyard and an on-site winery. The cellar door is open from 9 am to 4.30 pm from Wednesday to Sunday during all months. Tasting notes, winemaking notes and a recently published book about the history of the Lake George area are available for visitors to peruse. During the discussion of this item and the one above it was noted that the signage on the Federal Highway should refer to Wineries and not Lake George Wineries in accordance with the design guidelines of the Tourist Signposting manual. Sean Haylan has agreed to provide a site inspection report. Lake George Winery is potentially eligible for tourist signposting in the Wineries category subject to the receipt of a site inspection report. Secretariat to advise the applicant as above and confirm eligibility and inform RMS Sydney & South West region if appropriate after receipt of a site inspection report. Note: A site inspection report supporting the requested signage was received after the meeting enabling the application to be finalised. 2.6 Woolgoolga Art Gallery (Coffs Harbour LGA) TASAC members observed existing unserviceable signage for Woolgoolga Art Gallery during inspections undertaken prior to the April TASAC meeting and an application has been lodged following a request from TASAC. The gallery, which was established in 1972, is community based and run on a voluntary basis. It is open from 10 am to 4 pm daily during all months and displays paintings, woodwork, ceramics, fibre and quilts. It is located on the site of an old tramway, which carried logs from the forest to the Woolgoolga Jetty. Some relics from the rail line remain on the site and are interpreted for the information of visitors. Monthly exhibitions of work by gallery members are held along with an annual art exhibition which receives entries from around Australia. Museums and Galleries NSW has advised that it supports signposting for the gallery. Final 29 August of 12

7 Woolgoolga Art Gallery is potentially eligible for tourist signposting in the Galleries category subject to the receipt of site inspection report to be requested from Brian Bowers. Secretariat to advise the applicant as above and confirm eligibility and inform RMS Northern region if appropriate after receipt of a site inspection report. 2.7 Ferry Park Gallery, Maclean (Clarence Valley LGA) RMS is reviewing signage along the Pacific Highway in the vicinity of Maclean and an application has been lodged to enable Ferry Park Gallery s eligibility for tourist signposting to be reviewed. Ferry Park Gallery began as an art club and has evolved into a community based arts and craft group that is run on a voluntary basis. It is located at the Ferry Park Visitor s Complex and is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily during all months. Its members produce and display paintings, textiles, patchwork and quilted items, embroidery, pottery, jewellery, needlework, glass art and photograph. The application has been lodged in the Craft Based category and unfortunately, it does not demonstrate compliance with the relevant criteria in that the application indicates that there is no set timetable for visitors to view crafts persons at work, it does not have interpretive material for visitors and there are only limited opportunities for visitors to participate in elements of the craft production process. The application does not satisfy the requirements of the Craft Based category. The applicant may care to consider applying in the Galleries category but, from the information provided, it is difficult to tell whether this might be successful. Secretariat to advise the applicant as above and suggest that the gallery seek advice and assistance from Jenny Massey at Clarence River Tourism before contemplating a further application in the Galleries category. 2.8 The Big Plane, Moree TASAC members observed faded signs on the Newell Highway for The Big Plane prior to the July meeting and an application has been submitted following a request from TASAC to the operator in order to review the eligibility of the plane for signposting as a major tourist attraction. The plane is a former Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C47 Dakota, which was built in 1943 and gifted by the RAAF to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force in It was subsequently purchased by a private owner and flown to Moree where it stands at the rear of the Amaroo Tavern near a children s playground. The application, which is in the Architectural and Engineering Structures category, indicates that the plane is accessible from 10 am to dusk daily during all months. It is understood that visitors must enter the licensed premises to access the plane, which looks to be part of a children s enclosed play area. The following concerns were noted: i. The application did not include a description or photos of the interior of the plane. In the absence of such information it is difficult to assess the quality of the experience. ii. The application form gives no answer to the question about interpretive or educational material. A two page flyer was included with the application. While this gives some information about the history of the plane, it is not very detailed and appears dated. Final 29 August of 12

8 iii. The application states that visitors are able to experience self-guided tours. However, no information has been provided about what the tours encompass or how visitors are guided or supported during such tours. iv. It would appear that there is no interpretive signage (such as an information board) associated with the plane. v. The attraction does not appear to be supported by a brochure that describes the experience, its location and opening hours and gives contact details. vi. The application states that there is no opening hours/days sign at the site. The application does not demonstrate that The Big Plane satisfies the requirements for signposting as a major tourist attraction. Secretariat to inform the applicant as above. 2.9 The Legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route Belinda Novicky, Chair of Pacific Coast Touring Route Inc, has submitted an application for The Legendary Pacific Coast (TLPC) in the Touring Route category. TLPC is a 930 km touring route from Sydney to Brisbane. The route, which is coincident with the Pacific Highway, passes through 21 local government areas and four regional tourism organisations. It is supported by a wellestablished management committee made up of representatives drawn from regional tourism organisations, local government and tourism operators and has a comprehensive strategic business plan and marketing plan. The route offers visitors opportunities to access a large number and wide variety of tourism products, services and activities, including numerous surf beaches, 48 national parks, 12 State forests and many towns and villages. Considerable work has been done to identify and promote the route s features of interest to visitors and information is available digitally and in hard copy form. The Legendary Pacific Coast is eligible for tourist signposting in the Touring Route category. Secretariat to advise the applicant and RMS head office as above. 3. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF 18 JULY 2012 The minutes of TASAC s meeting of Wednesday 18 July 2012 with the Western Region Subcommittee in Moree 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 Lake George Wineries, Palerang LGA The wineries discussed at 2.4 and 2.5 above are located on the north western side of the Federal Highway and on the western side of Lake George. There are also wineries on the south eastern side of the Federal Highway in Palerang LGA and south of Lake George. These are Affleck Vineyard, Lark Hill Winery and Lambert Winery,all at Bungendore, and Koonaburra Vineyard at Bywong. All four wineries can be accessed via Bungendore Road, which is a local road that is part Final 29 August of 12

9 of Tourist Drive 8, and all but Koonaburra Vineyard can also be accessed from Macs Reef Road, which is a regional road maintained by RMS. There is a sign for Wineries and Lark Hill Winery on the Federal Highway at the intersection with Bungendore Road. On Bungendore Road itself a council sign refers to the Wineries of Lake George and gives the names and distances to all four wineries. Affleck (the closest winery) is 4 km from this signpost and Lambert (the furthest) is 15 km away. Similarly, signage for Wineries appears further south on the highway at its intersection with Macs Reef Road. There is another council sign on Macs Reef Road for Wineries of Lake George which refers to Lark Hill (1 km away), Lambert (15 km) and Affleck (17 km). RMS is reviewing signage along the Federal Highway and it is therefore necessary to request all four wineries to apply for tourist signposting to establish their eligibility so that appropriate sign designs can be prepared and installed along the highway and on other RMS roads. Secretariat to write the four wineries to request that they submit signposting applications. 4.2 Coldstream Gallery, Ulmarra The operator has replied to a request for a new application by advising that the business is being sold and she will not therefore be reapplying for signage. RMS Northern region to remove the existing signage as soon as possible. 4.3 Historic Cumnock, Cabonne LGA Cabonne Council has not responded to two letters (sent on 4 June and 25 July) requesting that a signposting application be submitted to update the eligibility of Cumnock for existing historic town tourist signposting on the Mitchell Highway. RMS Western to remove the existing tourist signposting for Cumnock. 4.4 Windamere Dam, Cudgegong Waters State Park, Lake Windamere State Water has not responded to s from Maria requesting that new applications be lodged to enable existing dilapidated signage on the Castlereagh Highway for the above attractions to be refreshed. Secretariat to contact Mudgee Visitor Information Centre for assistance. 4.5 Pilliga Pottery, near Coonabarabran Following receipt of additional information from the applicant and a site inspection report from Aileen Bell of Warrumbungle Shire Council in support of tourist signposting for Pilliga Pottery, the Secretariat completed the assessment process and informed the applicant of the attraction s eligibility for signposting on 31 July Final 29 August of 12

10 Pilliga Pottery is eligible for signposting in the Craft Based category and it was noted that the applicant and RMS Western region have both been informed of the outcome. 5. INQUIRIES RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING The following inquiries received in the period since the last meeting were noted: 5.1 Morris Park Motor Sports Complex 5.2 Wet and Wild Theme Park, Prospect 5.3 Historic Junee 5.4 Woomargama National Park 5.5 Ettamogah Motel 5.6 Cathedral Rocks, Kiama 5.7 Bombo Headland, Kiama 5.8 Kiama Coast Walk 6. POLICY ISSUES 6.1 Tourist Drive 5 (Blue Mountains) Wendy provided the following update: Tourist Drive 5 i. 90 per cent of the new signage for the drive has been completed. Council will now audit the signs to ensure that all have been correctly placed. ii. iii. Council appreciates RMS s assistance with the design of signs for the drive. However, technical specifications have resulted in some signs being too large for residential roads and remedial action is needed. Council is purchasing software so that it will be able to design signs in-house. The tourist drive will be known as Blue Mountains Drive and Wendy will submit an application to TASAC in the Touring Route category in late 2012/early 2013 to formalise this change. Other matters i. RMS is proceeding with work on new highway signs and scoping works have been organised for some signs. One sign at Glenbrook has been rebadged with the NPWS logo but Council is uncertain of the current situation given Phil Oliver s absence on extended leave. ii. iii. The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre at Katoomba is on schedule to be completed in late 2012 and a signposting application to TASAC will be submitted as soon as possible. Council will liaise with RMS to formalise the work Council is doing to update the message and refresh the appearance of its existing town entry hoop signs. Final 29 August of 12

11 Note: Shortly after the meeting Wendy confirmed that the signs for The Edge Cinema have been removed from the Great Western Highway near Katoomba in accordance with TASAC s decision at of May OTHER BUSINESS 7.1 Recognition of Alan McGuigan, former TASAC member David informed the meeting that Alan McGuigan would soon be leaving Trade and Investment NSW. Alan was commenced his involvement with tourist signposting in the early 1990s and his role in this field continued as Tourism NSW s first representative on TASAC from its inception in 1996 until During this time, and together with Steve Anyon-Smith of the Roads and Traffic Authority, Alan was instrumental in developing policies for the signposting of major tourist attractions in NSW. This included the formulation and refinement of application and assessment procedures and led to the publication of the first Tourist Signposting manual in Alan and Steve also forged strong relationships between TASAC and tourism industry bodies and local councils. Those present acknowledged Alan s significant contributions to the early work of TASAC and expressed their appreciation for his efforts in establishing a consistent, robust and transparent approach to tourist signposting in NSW. The Committee members wished Alan well in his future endeavours. 7.2 TASAC Meeting Schedule Please refer to Attachment 1 for the schedule of meetings for the next six months. The next Sydney Region meeting will be held in Penrith on 20 February NEXT MEETING Wednesday 19 September 2012 in Batemans Bay with the Southern Region Subcommittee. The meeting concluded at 1.15 pm Final 29 August of 12

12 Attachment 1 TASAC Meeting Schedule Region Location Date 2012 Southern Batemans Bay 19 September 2012 Northern Byron Bay 17 October 2012 South West Deniliquin 14 November 2012 Hunter Kariong 11 December Western Molong 16 January 2013 Sydney Penrith 20 February 2013 Final 29 August of 12