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

Transcription

1 Minutes of the Tourist Attraction Signposting Assessment Committee and the Hunter Region Subcommittee Wednesday 12 December 2012 at the offices the Central Coast Visitor Information Centre 52 The Avenue, Mt Penang Parklands, Kariong Members David Douglas Wayne Wilson Maria Zannetides Regional Coordinator TASAC and Drive, Destination NSW Roads & Maritime Services (RMS), Hunter Region TASAC Secretariat Hunter Region Subcommittee Jacqui Greaves Business Development Manager, Central Coast Tourism Valerie Antaki Marketing Coordinator, Tourism Hunter Also present Robyne Abernethy Sandra Kerr Richard Old Wendy Dollin Apologies Ken Saxby Rhiannon Stevens Bob Burch Keith Dawson Sheridan Ferrier Susan Davis Matthew Lysaught Steve Green CEO, Central Coast Tourism Board member, Central Coast Tourism & Hannan Properties Manager Tourism and Marketing, Great Lakes Council Tourism Development & Events Coordinator, Blue Mountains Council RMS Hunter Region Cessnock Council Wyong Council Gosford Council Tourism Hunter NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Muswellbrook Council Gosford Council AGENDA ITEMS 1. DELEGATIONS / PRESENTATIONS & REGIONAL SIGNPOSTING ISSUES 1.1 Mt York Convict Roads, Blue Mountains City Wendy Dollin presented an application from Blue Mountains City Council, which seeks to replace existing signage for Mt York with new signage for Mt York Convict Roads. Predominantly a natural area, the site has many layers of Aboriginal significance. The site is also known for its relevance to the first European crossing of the Blue Mountains in 1813 by explorers Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth. The location was important during construction of the first road across the Mountains in 1815 by William Cox and for various descents of the escarpment that were built by convicts between 1823 and 1829, such as Lawson's Long Alley, Lockyers Line of Road and Berghofers Pass. The roads are among the most accessible and impressive of the remaining convict roads in NSW. Blue Mountains Council took over management of Mt York Heritage Conservation Area in 2006 from the Department of Lands. The roads and the precinct are identified as heritage items in Blue Final 18 December of 16

2 Mountains LEP Access to Mt York Heritage Conservation Area is by a sealed 5km road from the Great Western Highway at Mt Victoria. It is also accessible on foot from Mt Victoria Station but car, coach and mountain bike are the most popular forms of transport to the site. Existing interpretive information at the site takes many forms. For example, the monument at Mt York day use area, which was built in 1813 for the centenary of the first European crossing of the mountains, features various layers of interpretive information relating to the construction of the convict roads. Also at the site are an obelisk with interpretive plaques and a set of brass interpretive panels mark points of interest (e.g. Berghofers Pass). Council is in the process of refurbishing the site in time for bicentenary celebrations to be held in May 2013, with a major civic event planned for 28 May Landscaping work has commenced and designs for new interpretive information are being prepared. The application was accompanied by two plans which show proposals for: a) New precinct entry signs, which refer to the area as Mount York Heritage Conservation Reserve and Convict Roads. b) Various site improvements, including an interpretive walk with interpretive panels mounted on low concrete walls that explore themes associated with the area; on-site signage such as at the head of Cox s Road; a new picnic shelter; new retaining walls; improvements to on-site parking; maintenance works to the pavilion; and upgrades to the toilets. The requested name for signposting is Mt York Convict Roads. However, as indicated above, the proposed entry signs will refer to Mt York Heritage Conservation Reserve and Convict Roads. Some published materials refer to Mt York Historic Site or Mt York Heritage Conservation Reserve. In addition, there is a well known lookout at Mt York with views to the north and west over Hartley Valley and Mt Blaxland, which was the terminal point of the 1813 crossing of the mountains. In this respect, Mt York Lookout is another name by which the site is known. The applicant has prepared a plan for tourist signposting and has also indicated that it would like the walking trails symbol to be used on finger board signs. The Committee provided the following feedback: i. The application is signed by Council s Manager Environmental Sustainability. However, applications from councils need to be signed by or submitted with a letter of support from the General Manager of the council. ii. iii. iv. As noted above, the site is associated with a variety of names. The requested name for tourist signposting is insufficiently descriptive of the visitor experience and the use of the word roads on a road sign is not appropriate because it will confuse motorists who might expect to be able to drive on convict roads. TASAC considers that the most appropriate name for signposting purposes is Mt York Historic Site. There is existing interpretive information at the site but it is dated and not comprehensive and more interpretive information is planned. TASAC requires details of the new material and evidence that it has been installed to enable it to finalise its consideration of the application. Existing published material for Mt York is a mix of references to it in free omnibus publications and guides available for retail purchase. Council is considering the preparation of new published material specific to Mt York, either as a fact sheet or a DL size brochure. Final 18 December of 16

3 TASAC requires a copy of the new published material to enable it to finalise consideration of the application. v. Decisions about the design and location for all road signs, including the use of symbols, will be made by RMS Sydney Region after TASAC finalises its consideration of the application. vi. vii. viii. A site inspection report is required for the application. However, the proposed improvement works, and in particular the new interpretive material, must be completed before this could be done. David could visit the site on 19 February (prior to a TASAC meeting in Penrith) and prepare the report but only if the works have been completed. Alternatively, if the works are not finished by then, another appropriate person (such as a tourism officer from an adjoining council) could complete the task at a later time. As the application has been submitted in the Historic Properties and Sites category, the views of the Heritage Branch of the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage will be sought. Suggestions in the application about possible changes to signage for Hartley Vale are considered to be separate matter. Requests for white on brown tourist signs for Hartley Vale should come to TASAC from Lithgow Council, which is the relevant local government authority, and will require a separate application. Inquiries about white on green destination signs for Hartley Vale should be made by Lithgow Council direct to RMS Western Region. Decision: Mt York is potentially eligible for tourist signposting in the Historic Properties and Sites category subject to the completion and/or resolution of the matters outlined above. Secretariat to liaise with the Heritage Branch, inform the Council as above and list the matter for further consideration in January and February Central Coast signage issues Jacqui Greaves addressed the meeting about several Central Coast signage matters: a) Central Coast Tourism has received positive feedback from visitors regarding new road signage for its Gateway Accredited Visitor Information Centre (AVIC) at Kariong, which RMS installed on a gantry structure above the Central Coast Highway near the intersection with The Avenue. b) There was a gap of some months between the installation of a road sign with a Roman i symbol on the Pacific Motorway near the Ourimbah Rest Area and the installation earlier this month of visitor information signs in the rest area for The Legendary Pacific Coast (TLPC). The erection of the road sign so far ahead of the visitor information signs to which it relates caused confusion for many visitors. This could have been avoided if RMS had better co-ordinated the timing of their installation. During the discussion it was noted that 10 more visitor information signs would be installed in rest areas or other off-road locations along the Pacific Motorway before Christmas. Each sign will have four panels and will incorporate the logo of TLPC. RMS has also identified sites at Tweed Heads and Mooney Mooney for the Welcome to TLPC signs. An additional 10 sites for similar visitor information signs have been identified, including one at Mooney Mooney Bridge, should RMS have sufficient funds. c) Central Coast Tourism is upgrading maps for its area and Jacqui inquired about the correct route number for Central Coast Highway. Wayne advised that the highway will be badged B43 and all white on blue shields on road signs will be covered up from Kariong to Doyalson in the next two months. RMS website shows the new MAB route numbers for the Hunter and Central Coast areas. Final 18 December of 16

4 d) The recent interest in seaside town signage for the Killcare / Hardys Bay localities was discussed and it was noted that the operator of Bouddi Gallery had expressed some interest in applying for tourist signposting. The Committee provided the following advice: i. Applications for seaside town signage must come from or be supported in writing by the General Manager of the relevant council. ii. iii. iv. RMS will work with Gosford Council to improve the directional signage to the Killcare / Hardys Bay from Empire Bay Drive, which is an RMS road, and along subsequent local roads. RMS will remove some unauthorised signs from Empire Bay Drive. RMS will raise with Council the problem of the proliferation of small signs, which cannot safely be read and reacted to by passing motorists, on Wards Hill Road near the intersection with Empire Bay Drive. v. Directional signage relates to focal points, which are usually locations that have a post office. It was noted that the focal point in the locality is Hardys Bay, not Killcare. Carrying out the work at ii to iv above will assist motorists wishing to travel to the locality and should obviate the need for seaside town signage. vi. Action : The gallery operator is welcome to contact Maria for more details on the signposting process. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) also intends to apply for tourist signposting for Bouddi National Park in the near future. RMS to progress the matters at ii to iv and provide an update to Maria by 10 January. 1.3 Muswellbrook signage issues The Committee discussed a submission from Matthew Lysaught of Muswellbrook Council regarding proposed changes to a number of signs with the following results. The numbering used below relates to numbers assigned to photos of signs that appear in Matthew s submission. Photo 1: The sign may not be in the road reserve and its design suggests is not standard indicating that the sign is unauthorised. If the sign is in the reserve of an RMS road, RMS Hunter Region is to arrange for it to be removed. RMS should also consider the adequacy of existing signposting for Muswellbrook AVIC, which is accredited at level 2. If the sign is outside the reserve of an RMS road, its future is a matter for Council. Photo 2: There is no TASAC approved Wine Tourism Region signage scheme in the locality and the sign appears to be unauthorised. RMS Hunter Region to remove the sign. Photo 3: Comments as for Photo 1 above. If the sign is in the reserve of an RMS road, RMS Hunter Region is to arrange for it to be removed. RMS should also consider the adequacy of existing signposting for Muswellbrook AVIC, which is accredited at level 2. If the sign is outside the reserve of an RMS road, its future is a matter for Council. Photo 4: Comments as for Photo 1 above. Final 18 December of 16

5 RMS Hunter Region to review the sign and remove it if is located in the reserve of one of its roads. If the sign is outside the reserve of an RMS road, its future is a matter for Council. Photo 5: Comments as for Photo 2 above. RMS Hunter Region to remove the white on brown double-sided Upper Hunter Wineries sign. Photo 6: Comments as for Photo 2 above. Council has also indicated that the sign misdirects visitors. RMS Hunter Region to remove the white on brown double-sided Wineries sign from the structure and re-evaluate the justification for the white on brown sign for Winery Information because it is unclear to what this relates. Photo 7: Comments as for Photo 2 above. Council has also indicated that the right direction arrow on the double-sided Denman Rd wineries sign misdirects visitors. RMS Hunter Region to remove both the white on brown double-sided Denman Rd wineries sign and one for Edderton Rd wineries from the structure. Photo 8: The sign appears to be very old and should have been removed when such signs were rationalised in At that time, Muswellbrook AVIC was added to signs on the Golden Highway at Merriwa and Murrurundi. Therefore, there is no need for additional signage of this type for Muswellbrook AVIC. Denman AVIC is accredited at level 3 and as such it may only use the italic i symbol on signs on the property but not on road signs. RMS Hunter Region to remove the sign. Action summary: Secretariat to advise the Council as above and inform RMS Hunter Region. 1.4 Tourist Drives 2 and 6 (Tourist Drive 2 Pac Hwy-Stroud-Gloucester-Pac Hwy at Purfleet) shared by Gloucester, Great Lakes and Greater Taree and Tourist Drive 6 (Pac Hwy-Forster-Tuncurry-Pac Hwy) shared by Great Lakes and Greater Taree Richard Old referred to recent discussions he has had with Wendy Hughes of Gloucester Council and Kerry Johnstone of Greater Taree Council, with which his Council shares Tourist Drives 2 and 6 and indicated that the three Councils intend to work together to upgrade signage along the drives and to prepare appropriate published material to promote them. The discussion highlighted the following points: i. Signage along the drives must to be audited by Council engineers who are knowledgeable about signage design standards. Consideration should be given to the condition of existing signs as well as locations where signs are missing and where drivers must make decisions about which road to follow to stay on the drive. ii. iii. iv. Audit reports for the signage must be referred to RMS Hunter Region for comment and advice on signage designs and locations before signs are upgraded. Councils must commit to a budget and reasonable timeframes to implement the required signage upgrades and the preparation of appropriate published material and inform TASAC of these decisions. Published material need not be elaborate. It can be stand alone or be provided as part of a larger promotional document such as a visitor guide. Where drives are shared by councils, they are Final 18 December of 16

6 encouraged to prepare published material jointly. Two examples of published material were provided to Richard. The published material must: Refer to the drive by its number. Include a map of the whole drive which is of a sufficient size and detail to assist motorists wishing to follow the drive. Include text that describes the drive and the features of interest to visitors along the route. Be freely available to visitors. Be published in digital, downloadable form and/or as a traditional hardcopy brochure. v. A report on progress of the signage audit/upgrade and the preparation of published material should be sent to Maria about a month before each TASAC Hunter Region meeting (held each June and December) until the work is completed. (a) Great Lakes, Gloucester and Greater Taree to provide a progress report to the Secretariat on the signage audit and preparation of published material by 30 May for at the June meeting. (b) Maria to Richard an example of a signage audit report. 1.5 The Wyong Milk Factory Sandra Kerr inquired about the potential for tourist signposting for The Wyong Milk Factory, which has been restored and repurposed so that the former dairy now houses a range of businesses including shops, a vet, a café, after school care, a cheese factory and a wood-turning establishment. The building is listed as a heritage item of local significance in Wyong Local Environmental Plan (LEP) The tourist signposting application process was discussed, particularly as it relates to the Historic Properties and Sites category, which appears to be the most appropriate one for the building and the following advice was offered: i. At present, the building does not offer a heritage tourism experience that would enable it to qualify for signposting as a major tourist attraction. Such an experience needs to be developed and implemented before signposting could be considered. The experience should relate to the history and significance of the building and it could be presented to visitors via guided or self-guided tours; the installation of interpretive panels and/or plaques; and/or the creation of a resource or display area that promotes awareness of the building s history through photos, diagrams, documents and other artefacts. Good quality tourist attractions generally use more than one method to interpret a site for visitors. The standard of experience offered to visitors would need to be comparable to sites managed by the National or Historic Houses Trusts. ii. iii. iv. Wyong Council s heritage adviser and the Heritage Branch of the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage may be able to provide advice about how to develop the building so that it offers a worthwhile and appropriate heritage tourism experience. The attraction must also meet all other tourist signposting eligibility requirements, e.g. the availability of published promotional material about the building and the heritage tourism experience it offers. It was noted that Sandra is interested in securing signposting for the building as a whole and not for individual businesses within it. Final 18 December of 16

7 v. If eligibility was established, RMS would design all necessary signage to guide motorists from the nearest State or regional road to the building s entry and in doing so, RMS would liaise with Wyong Council about signs needed on local roads. Sandra was invited to contact Maria if she wished to discuss the application process in more detail. 1.6 Signage proposal for Bouddi National Park Sue Davis of NPWS indicated to Maria prior to the meeting that she intends to submit a signposting application for Bouddi National Park early in the New Year. The park, which is a well known and highly regarded Central Coast attraction, does not currently have tourist signposting. Empire Bay Drive is the nearest RMS road to the park. 1.7 Members report on site inspections Wayne and David made the following observations arising from their site inspections in the Central Coast area and environs the day before the meeting. i. New signs welcoming motorists to The Legendary Pacific Coast will be installed early in the New Year on the southern side of the Mooney Mooney Bridge and direct visitors to the Kariong AVIC for more details. Similar signs will also be installed to the north of the Tweed Heads AVIC to welcome southbound visitors. The signage is the result of a successful application to TASAC in August seeking signposting for The Legendary Pacific Coast in the Touring Route category. ii. An existing sign on the north side of the Mooney Mooney Bridge for Central Coast Scenic Drive will be removed by RMS Hunter Region because it is faded and unserviceable and will be effectively replaced by The Legendary Pacific Coast signs mentioned above. RMS Hunter Region to remove the sign. iii. Signage on the Central Coast Highway at Long Jetty for Tourist Drive 1 is located near a park and does not relate to any numbered tourist drives recognised by TASAC. Further, the sign cannot be followed because it directs motorists to a road that ends a short distance from the sign. RMS Hunter Region to remove the sign and consider whether white on blue service signs might be appropriate at the location. iv. An old and faded sign was observed on the Pacific Motorway at Doyalson near the RSL. The sign refers to Central Coast Tourist Areas, lists several destinations and distances to them and features a Roman i symbol that directs motorists to turn left in 500m but there is no visitor information at the designated location. The Committee considered that the sign has outlived its usefulness and should be removed. RMS Hunter Region to consider the future of the sign and advise Maria by 15 February of its decision. v. The Forest of Tranquillity, which has existing tourist signposting from the Pacific Motorway, is currently only open on weekends. It was also noted that the condition of the local road to the site from Ourimbah and the business s driveway are both very poor. Jacqui explained that the business has recently changed hands. Secretariat to write to the new owner in mid January to request an application for tourist signposting to allow the business s continued eligibility for the existing signage to be determined. Final 18 December of 16

8 vi. Gosford Gallery and Edogawa Gardens have non-standard tourist signs on the Central Coast Highway. Secretariat to write to Gosford Council in mid January to request applications for tourist signposting so that TASAC can determine the continued eligibility for the existing signage. vii. Nora Head Lighthouse, which is administered by the Nora Head Lighthouse Reserve Trust, is a significant historic building and Central Coast tourist attraction but can be difficult to locate. The lighthouse and associated buildings are listed as a heritage item of regional significance on Wyong LEP It was considered that the Trust may care to review the eligibility requirements of the Historic Properties and Sites category to form a view about whether the experience offered at the lighthouse might by sufficient to meet the requirements and, if it wishes, to submit a tourist signposting application. David and Jacqui to contact Ron Stevens of the Trust to discuss the matter. 2. NEW TOURIST SIGNPOSTING APPLICATIONS 2.1 Escort Rock, Eugowra In 1862 Frank Gardiner's bushranger gang, Ben Hall among them, held up the Gold Escort coach at Escort Rock, which is a distinctive rock formation in Cabonne LGA. The coach, with a driver and armed escort of four police, was en-route to Orange, carrying 77 kg of gold from the Forbes area. Council s General Manager has lodged an application for tourist signposting for Escort Rock Site of Australia s Historic Gold Robbery. The site is a commemorative precinct that interprets the story of the Escort Rock gold robbery. The robbery location is on private land outside the commemorative precinct but it is visible from the precinct and may be accessed via a gate. A new viewing area has been erected at the commemorative site. Interpretive signs at the site include a description of the robbery, a site map of how the area looked in 1862 and information on the main bushrangers involved in the robbery. A QR code is also included to allow travellers to use mobile devices to access a website with information, images and contact details regarding the site. Photos and other material have been provided to demonstrate the nature of the interpretive material. Also at the site are a picnic area, toilets, children s swings and a granite monument and plaque erected in 1962 to mark the centenary of the robbery. In addition, Council has indicated that it intends to install more interpretive signage at the site bearing the branding, style and content of the Gold Trails project. This initiative aims to link a range of bushranger and gold rush sites in 20 LGAs across NSW for the purposes of cross promotion an awareness. Gold Trail interpretive signage will be placed outside the road reserve for viewing by people who have parked and alighted from their vehicles. The following concerns were raised: i. Escort Rock is mentioned in two omnibus brochures, the Central NSW Museums brochure and Central NSW Drive Tour brochure. Neither clearly refers to the commemorative site adjacent to the historic Escort Rock gold robbery location nor describes what it offers. Council acknowledges that the brochures are more secondary, supportive publications and has advised that the village of Eugowra is currently working on a new brochure, which will include detailed and specific information about the commemorative site. It is envisaged that this brochure will be published by mid February and Council has offered to provide a proof Final 18 December of 16

9 beforehand so TASAC can determine if it satisfies its requirements. TASAC will require a copy of the new published material to enable it to finalise its consideration of the application. ii. iii. iv. The application has been lodged in the Historic Properties and Sites category. However, the site for which signage is required is a commemorative precinct adjacent to the location at which the historic gold robbery took place. Therefore, the commemorative precinct has no heritage significance itself and is not protected under heritage legislation. It is understood that prior to lodgement of the application the Heritage Branch advised the Council that it does not regard the precinct as a historic property or site and did not wish to further participate in the assessment of the application. Nevertheless, the category is considered to be the most appropriate one for the site given its historical associations. The requested name for signposting comprises eight words whereas the maximum that can be fitted on road signs is usually four words. Council has suggested Escort Rock Historic Site as a shorter option. However, this is not accurate because the signs are for the adjacent commemorative precinct not the Escort Rock historic site itself. The Committee s preferred names for signposting are Escort Rock Commemorative Site or Escort Rock Viewing Area. These terms better describe the tourism experience available at the location and do not mislead visitors into thinking that they are being directed to the actual location of the robbery. David will visit the site prior to the January meeting to undertake a site inspection report. Decision: Escort Rock is potentially eligible for tourist signposting in the Historic Properties and Sites category, subject to the resolution and/or completion of the matters outlined above. Secretariat to inform the Council as above and list the matter for further consideration in January Mt York Convict Roads, Blue Mountains City Please see item 1.1 above. 3. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF 14 NOVEMBER 2012 The minutes of TASAC s meeting of Wednesday 14 November 2012 with the South West Region Subcommittee in Wagga Wagga 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 Mindarriba Cultural Centre, removal of signage Following TASAC s decision at the September meeting Hunter RMS Region has advised that the signs for Mindarriba Cultural Centre, which did not respond to two requests from TASAC to lodge a signposting application, were removed on 23 October Final 18 December of 16

10 4.2 Bega Visitor Radio The operator of Bega Visitor Radio was requested to apply for tourist signposting on 12 October and a reminder was also sent on 26 November. The operator advised on 29 November that the company is unable to complete and return the application form. RMS Southern Region was informed on 10 December and requested to remove the existing signs. RMS Southern Region to advise Maria when the signage has been removed. 4.3 Ulladulla and Nowra Visitor Radio The operator of Ulladulla and Nowra Visitor Radio stations was requested to apply for tourist signposting on 12 October and a reminder was also sent on 26 November. No response has been received to either communication. RMS Southern Region was informed on 10 December and requested to remove the existing signs for both stations. RMS Southern Region to advise Maria when the signage has been removed. 4.4 Mayfield Vineyard, Cabonne LGA Information from Orange City Council provided as part of its application for Wine Tourism Region signage indicates that Mayfield Winery is only open on weekends. Maria confirmed this information by phoning the winery on 30 November. TASAC determined that the winery was eligible for tourist signposting in November 2009 but it is now clear that its opening hours have been cut back considerably since that time. The matter was deferred for further consideration at the January meeting, which will be held in Cabonne Council s offices. Secretariat to list the matter for consideration in January. 4.5 Amaze n Place, Alstonville Amaze n Place was found to be eligible for tourist signposting in April 2008 in the Theme Park category. Some of its existing signposting is co-located with signage for the House with No Steps. The latter attraction has recently requalified for signage under its new name of Summerland House Farm. The Amaze n Place operators were therefore invited to submit a new application so that its eligibility for signposting could be confirmed and new signs arranged for both businesses. The Amaze n Place website indicates that its current opening hours are 10am to 4.30pm Thursday to Sunday during the school term, and daily during school holidays. These hours are less than required by the Tourist Signposting manual. Correspondence sent by the operators, Rik and Lisa Dillon, following TASAC s request that they reapply for tourist signposting, acknowledges that the business no longer qualifies for tourist signposting. The correspondence goes on to explain the adverse impacts on the business of difficult economic conditions in recent years, the construction of the Alstonville and Ballina by-passes, and the slowness of satellite navigation systems to keep up with changes in the road network. Lisa also told Maria during a phone conversation that the business will only open during school holidays, and not at all during school terms, after January. The Committee accepts that the reductions in opening hours are intended to secure the business s future and not as a result of preference. It is also appreciated that longer opening hours may be reinstituted when circumstances allow. However, the minimum opening hour requirements of the Final 18 December of 16

11 Tourist Signposting manual apply to all signposted tourist attractions and the Committee is unable to make exceptions. To do so would be inequitable to the operators of attractions across NSW which meet the requirements and unfair to all attractions that have not been found eligible because of limited opening hours. Further, visitors have a legitimate expectation that a major tourist attraction will be open when they see a white and brown tourist sign and decide to visit. Visitor dissatisfaction reflects badly not only on the credibility of the particular attraction but also on the tourism industry generally and the NSW tourist signposting system. It is also clear that Amaze n Place s noncompliance is not new and the business has not been eligible for its existing signage for some time. Decision: Amaze n Place is not eligible for tourist signposting. Secretariat to inform the operators as above and request RMS Northern Region to remove the existing signposting and proceed with the design and installation of signs for Summerland House Farm as decided at the October meeting. 4.6 Affleck Vineyard, Bywong The operators of Affleck Vineyard have provided photos of new opening hours signs recently installed at the entry to the business. The signs are acceptable and this information completes TASAC s request to the operators for additional information in support of the application. Decision: Affleck Vineyard is eligible for tourist signposting in the Wineries category. Secretariat to advise the applicant as above and inform RMS Southern Region. 5. INQUIRIES RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING The following inquiries received in the period since the last meeting were noted: 5.1 Spectrum Gallery and Garden Centre, Port Stephens 5.2 Tactical Paintball Games, Moorland (Greater Taree LGA) 5.3 Lake Innes Vineyards (Port Macquarie LGA) 5.4 Hassans Walls Lookout, Lithgow 5.5 Murramarang Resort, South Durras (inquiry from RMS) 5.6 Hellfire Paintball, Salt Ash (inquiry from Port Stephens Council) 5.7 Thursday Plantation Education Centre, Ballina North 5.8 Armstrong Oysters, Laurieton 5.9 Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre 5.10 Wollemi National Park, near Ilford 5.11 Mundrakoona Estate, Mittagong TASAC resolved in September 2011 that Mundrakoona Estate was no longer eligible for its existing tourist signposting because it was only open on weekends and it requested the former RTA to remove the signs. However, a recent call to Maria demonstrated that the signs are still in place. The operator of the business rang to inquire about changing the text on the signs on the Hume Highway. During the conversation he confirmed that the business has not been operating in accordance with TASAC s requirements for some time, including a nine month period of closure. The operator now wishes to rebuild the business and is also interested in altering the wording on the Final 18 December of 16

12 signs. The application process was discussed and he was informed that a new application to TASAC was required by 11 February 2013 in order to retain the existing signs. Secretariat to write to the operator to confirm the above advice Bouddi National Park 5.13 Badlands Brewery, Orange 5.14 Proposed cheese factory, Orange 5.15 Tilba Valley Wines 6. POLICY ISSUES 6.1 Upper Hunter Tourist Drive 33 (Peats Ridge-Wollombi-Cessnock-Branxton) As noted at the October meeting, Cessnock Council has accepted responsibility in perpetuity for the maintenance of all signage and published promotional material for Tourist Drive 33 in the LGAs of Cessnock and Gosford. The Committee noted a further progress report from Rhiannon Stevens of Council as follows: Graphic designs are being finalised for the promotional material. As per TASAC's requirements the drive will be referred to as 'Tourist Drive 33'. Once artwork is finalised and approved, printing should take no longer than two weeks and the material can be distributed and uploaded as required. The works program has been split into funding requirements over financial years 2012/13 and 2013/14. Council's Infrastructure Works Manager has received the resolution of Council and is undertaking assessments to progress the works sides of the project, starting with the budgetary alignment and ordering of signage infrastructure. David s comments on draft maps for the promotional material were recently sent to Rhiannon and the Committee has asked for the opportunity to review the material at draft final stage. (a) Cessnock Council to forward the promotional material to the Secretariat for comment at draft final stage. (b) Cessnock Council to provide a further update by 30 May 2013 for consideration at the June Hunter Region meeting 6.2 Former Upper Hunter Tourist Drives 27 & 29 TASAC determined to remove Upper Hunter Tourist Drives 27 and 29 about 12 months ago following consultations with the Councils that shared them (Upper Hunter Shire, Muswellbrook and Singleton for TD 27; and Gloucester and Upper Hunter for TD 29). However, progress with removal of signs for the drives on State roads is not known. Wayne to check on progress of sign removal and advise Maria by 10 January. 6.4 Status of Tourist Drive 6 (Gundagai-Tumut-Adelong) Following the November TASAC meeting in South West Region, Peter Barelli forwarded to Maria a letter from the General Manager of Gundagai Shire Council dated 13 January 2009 in which Council acknowledged that signs for Tourist Drive 6, which it shares with Tumut Council, are faded and that at its meeting of 23 December 2008 Council agreed that the signs are no longer useful and may be Final 18 December of 16

13 removed rather than replaced. It is considered that the Snowy Valleys Way project has now superseded the defunct Tourist Route (sic) 6. This contrasts with a letter from Gundagai Council to the Secretariat dated 7 April 2011, which indicated that Council wished to retain the drive. The Committee also noted Peter s further advice that RMS has already acted on Council s earlier letter and has removed many of the signs for the drive from State roads. On this basis, the Committee considered that there was no alternative but to continue to act on the basis of Council s original letter and to request RMS to proceed with the removal of the remaining signage for Tourist Drive 6. Decision: Action; As RMS has removed many of the signs for TD 6 from State roads following correspondence from Gundagai Shire Council in 2009, the drive has not been adequately signposted for some time and cannot be retained. Secretariat to advise Gundagai and Tumut Councils of the decision and request RMS South West Region to remove the remaining signage as quickly as possible. 6.5 Use of service symbols on Seaside Town and Village signage Peter Bache of RMS Southern Region believes that there are some errors in the use of service symbols on some existing Seaside Town and Villages signs. The Tourist Signposting manual allows service symbols that have a white legend on a blue background to be used on signs for the following tourism product categories: National Parks, State Recreation Areas, State Forests and Major Water Storage Areas Major Regional Tourist Centres Seaside Towns and Villages. The symbols inform motorists that services like petrol, food and accommodation are available at the destination and RMS s Service Signposting guidelines outline parameters for their use, e.g. the fuel symbol may only be used where petrol is available 16 hours per day. Peter is concerned that symbols on some signs relate to services that no longer meet the relevant usage parameters. During the discussion it was agreed that it may be necessary to invite Councils that have Seaside Town and Village signs to submit new applications to ascertain whether the symbols on them are appropriate. In the first instance the Committee resolved to request Peter to provide a list of the signs and symbols that are of concern. Peter to provide a list to Maria of the relevant signs and symbols to allow the matter to proceed to the next stage. 6.6 Former Tourist Drives in RMS Southern Region In response to a request about progress with the removal of signs from State roads for former Monaro Tourist Drive 1 (Kiandra-Cabramurra-Khancoban-Thredbo-Jindabyne-Snow Resorts-Cooma) and East Riverina Tourist Drive 5 (Gilmore-Batlow-Tumbarumba-Kiandra), John Harper of RMS Southern Region advised Maria that the signs may be removed as part of the implementation of the MAB alpha-numeric road numbering system, which is being managed by RMS Sydney Region. However, John is not able to confirm this and will provide further advice when it is available. TASAC determined to remove the drives in October Secretariat to request advice from RMS Sydney Region about removal of the signs. Final 18 December of 16

14 7. OTHER BUSINESS 7.1 Next Hunter Region TASAC meeting The Committee accepted an invitation from Tars Bylhouwer, Marketing Manager of Port Stephens Tourism, to hold the 19 June 2013 Hunter Region meeting in Raymond Terrace. 7.2 Changes to North Coast representation on TASAC Belinda Novicky recently advised that Mid North Coast Tourism has ceased to exist and its role taken over by North Coast Destination Network. Consequently, Belinda will represent the Network on TASAC replacing Brian Bowers, who was Mid North Coast s representative. TASAC looks forward to working more closely with Belinda. The Committee also wishes to acknowledge Brian s valuable contribution to its work. Brian went to his first TASAC meeting on 24 April 2003 and subsequently attended all but two of the Northern Region meetings every April and October for the 9.5 years he was a subcommittee member. He is one of the longest serving regional tourism organisation representatives on TASAC and has worked successfully with four Committee members from Tourism NSW/Destination NSW and two RMS/RTA members. Brian has supported the Committee s work by completing many site inspection reports for attractions in Coffs Harbour LGA and he has been an invaluable source of information on a variety of tourism related topics, such as tourist drives. He has also generously and ably assisted TASAC by personally explaining its policies to many tourist attraction operators. The Committee expressed its gratitude for the consistent support that it has received from Brian over a long period, including the many occasions where it has benefitted from his extensive and insightful tourism industry knowledge and experience and looks forward to continuing its association with him as TASAC s point of contact at Coffs Harbour Council. 7.3 Changes to NPWS representation on TASAC NPWS has recently adopted a three branch structure across the State. All applications to TASAC for national parks and other land managed by the agency, such as nature reserves, must be submitted or endorsed by the following three branch representatives: i. Metropolitan and Mountains Branch Catherine Snelgrove (based in Parramatta) ii. Coastal Branch Sue Elks (based in Coffs Harbour) iii. Western Branch Patricia Wilkinson (based in Dubbo) It was noted that each branch comprises many smaller regions. Maria commented that the new branch structure introduces some complexities for TASAC s six region structure. For example, the new Metropolitan and Mountains Branch includes areas from Mudgee, south to Sydney and on to the Snowy River and Riverina-Highlands. Consequently, it includes areas that fall into four TASAC regions (Western, Hunter, Sydney, South West and Southern). 7.4 Changes to TASAC s contact point at Heritage Branch Bill Nethery, who was TASAC s contact at the Heritage Branch of the Office of Environment and Heritage, has recently retired. Maria is awaiting advice from the Manager of the branch about a replacement contact person. Final 18 December of 16

15 7.5 Changes to RMS representation on TASAC Wayne and David explained recent changes to the way in which RMS is represented on TASAC. Following changes to RMS s organisational structure, TASAC now has six key regional contacts who will attend and co-chair meetings in their respective regions, and one contact point in RMS head office on TASAC policy issues. Wendy expressed disappointment at the changes and raised concerns about inconsistencies that could arise across regions and the potential for the policy to be weakened because knowledge of issues across regional boundaries would become diluted. In response it was explained that the changes would be reviewed after six months and that the corporate contact person would attend several meetings per annum to keep informed on implementation of the policy. 8. NEXT MEETING Wednesday 16 January 2013 in Molong with the Western Region Subcommittee. The meeting concluded at 1.30 pm Final 18 December of 16

16 Attachment 1 TASAC Meeting Schedule Region Location Date 2013 Western Molong 16 January 2013 Sydney Penrith 20 February 2013 Southern Nowra 20 March 2013 Northern Armidale 17 April 2013 South West Yass 15 May 2013 Hunter Raymond Terrace 19 June 2013 Final 18 December of 16