Minutes of the Tourist Attraction Signposting Assessment Committee Wednesday 13 December 2017 Destination NSW Offices, 88 Cumberland St, The Rocks, Sydney Members Phil Oliver David Douglas Tom Urban Guidance and Delineation Manager, Roads & Maritime Services (RMS) Regional Coordinator TASAC and Drive, Destination NSW TASAC Secretariat Also present Apologies AGENDA ITEMS 1. PRESENTATIONS AND REGIONAL SIGNPOSTING ISSUES n/a 2. NEW TOURIST SIGNPOSTING APPLICATIONS 2.1 Shoalhaven Heads Native Botanic Gardens This application was submitted by post and added to the December meeting agenda. Upon closer inspection by the Secretariat, the application is missing a number of essential components. A complete application is required before the application can be presented to TASAC for a decision on signposting eligibility. Correspondence requesting the missing information has been sent to the applicant. The application was not considered at this meeting due to its incomplete state. It can be considered at a future meeting upon receipt of a full application. 2.2 Washpool National Park, Glen Innes Washpool National Park is a World Heritage Listed location near Glen Innes. The park is accessible all year around and offers a number of activities including walking and camping. It is promoted through brochures, the NPWS website and a display which can be found at the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre. The park is currently signposted, however, eligibility has lapsed as the most recent application was made to TASAC more than five years ago. Updated/additional signposting for the park was requested by Glen Innes council at a recent TASAC meeting. For updated/additional signage to be considered, the eligibility of the park first needs to be established. Final 18 December 2017 1 of 5
This application appears to address all areas and the committee agree that it is eligible for signposting in the National Parks and State Significant Categories. The need for a site inspection has been waived due to the TASAC committee s familiarity with the attraction, the site s previous approvals (since which little has changed) and its status as a World Heritage attraction. Application is approved. TASAC Secretariat to finalise the application and send relevant correspondence. 2.3 Gibraltar Range National Park, Glen Innes Gibraltar Range National Park is a World Heritage Listed location near Glen Innes. It is located adjacent to item 2.2 (Washpool National Park) and shares many of the same details. The park is accessible all year around and offers a number of activities including walking and camping. It is promoted through brochures, the NPWS website and a display which can be found at the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre. The park is currently signposted, however, eligibility has lapsed as the most recent application was made to TASAC more than five years ago. Updated/additional signposting for the park was requested by Glen Innes council at a recent TASAC meeting. For updated/additional signage to be considered, the eligibility of the park first needs to be established. This application appears to address all areas and the committee agree that it is eligible for signposting in the National Parks and State Significant Categories. The need for a site inspection has been waived due to the TASAC committee s familiarity with the attraction, the site s previous approvals (since which little has changed) and its status as a World Heritage attraction. Application is approved. TASAC Secretariat to finalise the application and send relevant correspondence. 3. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF 22 NOVEMBER 2017 The minutes of TASAC s meeting of Wednesday 22 November 2017 in Albury were confirmed by the committee. All relevant actions have been completed. 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 4.1 Sydney Zoo Sydney Zoo had previously requested information from TASAC regarding signage for what is expected to be a State Significant attraction when it opens in late 2018 or early 2019. RMS had indicated that they would need to review the case internally. Establishing signage locations for this attraction is a complex issue due to its location near two major motorways and its high forecasted visitor numbers. Final 18 December 2017 2 of 5
RMS have flagged Wet and Wild as a recent similar case. Wet and Wild was signposted at two exits from the M4 as traffic forecasts indicated that failure to do so would have resulted in queueing of vehicles back onto the motorway. Actual traffic flow patterns suggests that the forecasts were incorrect and signage at multiple exits may not have been necessary. Sydney Zoo signage is further complicated by the nearby presence of Featherdale Wildlife Park which is also a State Significant attraction. It should also be noted that no brown signage has been installed to date on the M7, however, with signposting for Sydney Zoo this may need to be reconsidered. One possible option being considered is for multiple attractions to be included on one sign which informs drivers of which green directional signs to follow (e.g. Sydney Zoo follow Eastern Creek). This would reduce the need for multiple brown signs for multiple attractions at every turn. RMS will continue to explore options for the signposting of Sydney Zoo and will be in contact with the Zoo to discuss options within the first three months of 2018. TASAC Secretariat to inform Sydney Zoo of the above three month timeframe. 4.2 Slim Dusty Centre This attraction was approved for signposting earlier in 2017. Following engagement with RMS, the applicant expressed concern at the cost of the signage. RMS have been able to reduce the cost to Slim Dusty Centre by integrating it into the construction of one part of the Pacific Hwy approaching the relevant interchange. The signage from this approach has been incorporated into the construction costs of the new road. The approach from the other direction will still require new signage to be paid for by the Slim Dusty Centre. Slim Dusty centre will also liaise with local council regarding the signage on local roads in an attempt to reduce costs further. The Slim Dusty Centre has expressed their satisfaction with this arrangement to reduce the cost of signage. 5. INQUIRIES RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING 5.1 Kimberly Park Stud, Shoalhaven 5.2 Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Coffs Harbour Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre is eligible for signage through to 2019. They have requested new signage to include the hand symbol indicating that the attraction has an Aboriginal theme, and to be signposted from the new motorway. TASAC has no issue with the use of the hand symbol subject to approval from the Destination NSW Aboriginal Specialist (which was provided following the meeting). RMS will review the scope and cost of the new signage which can then be shared with the applicant. Secretariat to contact applicant to advise that scope and cost is being assessed by RMS. Final 18 December 2017 3 of 5
5.3 Tourist Drive 9, Kiama TASAC notes the need to review this drive as part of the ongoing Tourist Drive Review and will conduct the review at an appropriate time as part of this project. 5.4 Line of Lode Precinct, Broken Hill Following this enquiry, questions were raised as to whether the broader site should be signposted (Line of Lode) or if signposting a specific attraction (Miner s Memorial) would be more suitable. TASAC agreed that there were no issues with signposting Line of Lode. The committee also noted that the site offers good views of Broken Hill and advised that the inclusion of the lookout symbol on the signs (subject to a successful application) would be beneficial. Secretariat to advise the applicant that an application for this attraction can be submitted under the precinct name Line of Lode. 5.5 Timbertown, Wauchope 5.6 Eurobodalla National Park Eligibility for Eurobodalla National Park has lapsed. This was identified as part of the ongoing Princes Hwy upgrade. A new application for the attraction will be required. Secretariat to identify and inform the attraction owner. 5.7 Corunna Lake, Eurobodalla Eligibility for Corunna Lake has lapsed. This was identified as part of the ongoing Princes Hwy upgrade. A new application for the attraction will be required. Secretariat to identify and inform the attraction owner. 5.8 Shoalhaven Signage enquiry 5.9 Tourist Drive 5 TASAC notes the need to review this drive as part of the ongoing Tourist Drive Review and will conduct the review at an appropriate time as part of this project. 5.10 Young Signage This matter relates to green directional signage and does not fall under the authority of TASAC. The matter has been referred to RMS. 5.11 Capital Country Signage Final 18 December 2017 4 of 5
The desire of the Southern NSW Destination Network to remove signage with the outdated Capital Country branding has been noted by TASAC. Past discussions between Destination NSW and the Destination Network have flagged that replacement of the signs will require the Destination Network to consider what new branding they would like to feature on the signs. This issue has been noted on the agenda of the March 2018 TASAC meeting (to be held in Southern Region) for further discussion. 6. Policy Issues n/a 7. Other Business 7.1 TASAC Meeting Schedule The Next meeting is to be held at the offices of RMS in Parramatta on 24 January, 2018. The meeting for June 2018 has tentatively been set to take place in Gloucester (Hunter Region). The meeting concluded at 11.25 am. Attachment 1 TASAC Meeting Schedule Region Location Date DNSW Head Office, Sydney 2018 RMS Offices, Parramatta 13 December 2017 24 January 2018 Western Dubbo 21 February 2018 Southern Cooma 21 March 2018 Northern Lismore 18 April 2018 RMS Offices, Parramatta 23 May 2018 Hunter Gloucester 13 June 2018 Final 18 December 2017 5 of 5