TASAC Minutes 20 January 2016

Minutes of the Tourist Attraction Signposting Assessment Committee

Wednesday 20 January 2016 at the RMS Parramatta office Level 5, 27-31 Argyle Street Parramatta

Members David Douglas Regional Coordinator TASAC and Drive, Destination NSW Phil Oliver Guidance and Delineation Manager, & Maritime Services (RMS) Maria Zannetides TASAC Secretariat

Also Present

Cameron McIntyre TEO, RMS Region John Rozos RMS Sydney Region (part meeting)

AGENDA ITEMS

1. DELEGATIONS / PRESENTATIONS & REGIONAL SIGNPOSTING ISSUES

N / A

2. NEW TOURIST SIGNPOSTING APPLICATIONS

2.1 Paroo Darling National Park, near

An application has been lodged to review the eligibility of Paroo Darling National Park for tourist signposting (TASAC found the park to be eligible for signposting in 2008) and allow some of the park’s signage to be updated and also to secure signposting for a new precinct known as Peery Lake Picnic Area within the Paroo Darling Overflow Section of the park.

The park is in the north west corner of the State, north east of the Cobb and north of the . The nearest towns are Wilcannia and White Cliffs, both to the west of the park. The park conserves extensive semi-permanent freshwater wetlands associated with both the Paroo and Darling Rivers. The area is internationally significant for bird migration and recognised under the Ramsar Treaty for conserving wetlands of international importance.

Additionally, Peery Lake is the only lake bed in the Southern Hemisphere where mound springs (natural outlets for artesian water) are located. Various Aboriginal artefacts and sites exist in the area and the lake has been recorded as a tourist attraction since the 1910s.

The park, which is open daily during all hours, is made up of four former pastoral properties covering almost 200,000 ha and has the following four separate sections:

i. The Overflow section, 30 km east of White Cliffs and 80 km north of Wilcannia. This area is accessed from Wilcannia via Wilcannia – Wanaaring (SR5) or from White Cliffs via Mandalay to White Cliffs Road (SR6). The application indicates that these roads are managed by .

The Peery Lake Picnic Area is in the Paroo River Overflow section and offers a gas BBQ, sheltered picnic tables, a composting toilet with disabled access, interpretive

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information panels and panoramic open views of the lake with its artesian mound springs, birds and other wildlife. The lake is ephemeral and when dry, visitors can walk across its bed to the mound springs. When wet, there is easy access by kayak to bird breeding areas and sand lunettes on the far side of the lake.

ii. The Section is on either side of the Darling River 40 km north east of Wilcannia. It is accessed from the Wilcannia to Road, the east side via MR68A and the west side from SR1. The Coach and Horses Campground is located within this section, on the south side of a bend in the Darling River. It offers a gas BBQ, sheltered picnic table, fishing, kayaking, 12 campsites, composting toilet with disabled access, interpretive information and fish cleaning tables.

iii. The Coonavitra Section, located 110 km east of Wilcannia and accessed from the Barrier Highway.

iv. The Tilpilly Section, located 130 km east of Wilcannia and accessed from Barrier Highway.

Three images have been provided of large interpretive panels, one panel at Peery Lake and two panels at Coach and Horses Campground. The images are small and the text on the panels cannot be read but it is clear that the panels include maps, text and photos. The park also has its own visitor information centre in Keraro Road, White Cliffs, which is open on weekdays from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm (and on some weekends but it may be unstaffed). The centre provides interpretive information and a sheltered picnic table.

The applicant has advised that the Coonavitra and Tilpilly Sections are “management areas” without public access and do not have toilet facilities. Accordingly, the two sections are not eligible for tourist signposting.

Decision: Paroo Darling National Park (Paroo River Overflow and Darling River Sections only is eligible for tourist signposting in the National Parks, State Conservation Areas, State Forests and Major Water Storage Areas category.

Action: Secretariat to inform the applicant and RMS Western Region as above.

2.2 Gundabooka National Park

TASAC found Gundabooka National Park to be eligible for tourist signposting in November 2004 and a new application has been lodged to update its eligibility. Gundabooka National Park is in the semi-arid environment of north western NSW between the towns of , Bourke and Louth. Signage is sought on and from the (SH421) and NPWS would also appreciate design assistance for signage at other locations, presumably on Council roads.

Gundabooka National Park and Gundabooka State Conservation Area are located adjacent to each other and the application refers to both areas as Gundabooka National Park. The park, which is open daily during all hours, contains Mount Gunderbooka, the Gunderbooka Range and the Darling River. It also contains the Mulgowan (Yappa) Aboriginal Art site. Accommodation is available at Yanda Campground (a river campsite) and Dry Tank Campground with views of Mount Gunderbooka. Booked accommodation is also available at Belah Shearers Quarters and Redbank Homestead.

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Gundabooka National Park can be accessed from the Kidman Way, taking Ben Lomond Road (RLR 6), from 50 km south of Bourke and 110 km north of Cobar. The Bourke-Louth Road (MR68S) approximately 50 km north east of Louth and 30 km south west of Bourke, provides access to the Darling River sections of the park. The third main access is via the Cobar-Louth Road along the Mulgaroon Road (RLR7) and merging to the Wilgaroon Road and turning into Ben Lomond Road (RLR6).

Visitor facilities include:

i. Yanda Campground: Ten campsites; interpretive information, gas BBQ, sheltered picnic tables; and disabled access toilet.

ii. Dry Tank Campground: Fifteen unstructured campsites; interpretive information (image provided); picnic tables; and toilets.

iii. Bennett’s Gorge Picnic Area and Valley of the Eagles Walk: Interpretive information (images provided); picnic tables; gas BBQ; entry point for Valley of the Eagles Walk; and toilets.

iv. Mulgowan Yappa Aboriginal Art Site Walking Track: 1.4 km return medium graded walking track; interpretive information (image provided); sheltered picnic tables; and toilets with disabled access.

v. Little Mountains Walking Track: Leaving from Dry Tank Campground, this walk takes visitors through the Mulga woodlands to Little Mountain lookout in the Gunderbooka Range. Interpretive information is available at the start of the walk and along the way.

Interpretive information is also available at the park’s entry points at both ends of Ben Lomond Road (image provided).

Decision: Gundabooka National Park is eligible for tourist signposting in the National Parks, State Conservation Areas, State Forests and Major Water Storage Areas category.

Action: Secretariat to inform the applicant and RMS Western Region as above.

2.3 Conimbla National Park, near

An application has been lodged to update Conimbla National Park’s eligibility for tourist signposting to allow existing unserviceable signage to be upgraded. The poor condition of the park’s signage was identified in an audit undertaken by Cowra Council during 2015 and the application has been submitted at TASAC’s request.

Conimbla National Park, which is open daily during all hours, is 9 km west of Cowra along the Mid-Western Highway in the Central West Slopes of NSW. It can be accessed in the following three ways:

i. From Cowra, travelling 9 km west on the Mid-Western Highway, then right onto Barryrennie Road for 17 km to the Wallaby picnic area.

ii. From the town of Gooloogong, south via Kangarooby Road for 24 km then onto the Wallaby picnic area.

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iii. From Grenfell, travelling 46 km east on the Mid-Western Highway then left onto Barryrennie Road into the park and then onto the Wallaby Picnic Area.

Established in 1980, the park covers 7,590 ha and provides conservation for rare species of orchids and grevilleas and has very attractive scenery, including a number of cliff lines, a small gorge and several waterfalls. The park has two sections, a north eastern section, which includes Barabigal Mountain and a south western section, which includes Yambira Mountain. It is understood that the south western section allows horse-riding and also has some vehicular access. NPWS has advised that all visitor facilities are located in the north eastern section of the park and there are no toilets in the south western section. On this basis the south western section is not eligible for tourist signposting.

Conimbla National Park is regarded as one of the best walking and nature sites in the area. Its north eastern section provides opportunities for picnicking at Wallaby Picnic Area, two walking trails (the 4 km Ironbark Walking Track and the 4 km Wallaby Walking Track), hiking, nature study and tent based camping at four sites. Specifically, there is a picnic table, BBQ and two interpretive signs at the Ironbark Walking Track, which affords scenic views to Cowra and features dry woodlands, flowering heath in spring and opportunities for bird watching. At the Wallaby Walking Track there is a picnic table, wood BBQ and a composting toilet. The Wallaby track offers opportunities to view wildlife (e.g. wallabies, kangaroos, possums and gliders) along its length.

An image has been provided of one of the two large information panels at Ironbark Walking Track. The image is small and the text on the panel cannot be read but it appears that it includes maps, text and photos.

Decision: Conimbla National Park (north eastern section) is eligible for tourist signposting in the National Parks, State Conservation Areas, State Forests and Major Water Storage Areas category.

Action: Secretariat to inform the applicant and RMS Western Region as above.

2.4 Yarrangobilly Caves Precinct (within )

An application has been lodged to enable new signage to be installed from the south via Cooma and Mount Selwyn for the Yarrangobilly Caves Precinct in Kosciuszko National Park. Traffic from this direction has increased in recent years and NPWS considers that the existing signage treatment does not adequately support the attraction. It is also understood that signage at the entry to the caves precinct needs to be updated and consideration of signage in advance of the entry would be appreciated.

The Yarrangobilly Caves Precinct is 5 km from a loop gravel all weather road off the , 88 km from Tumut and 114 km from Cooma. There are several caves within the precinct, which have been drawing visitors for 150 years, as follows:

i. South Glory Cave: This cave’s lofty chambers are accessible for self-guided tours daily between 9 am and 4 pm.

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ii. Jersey Cave: Guided tours are available during summer at 10.30 am, 11.45 am 1.45 pm, and 3.00 pm and in winter (from June to the October long weekend) at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. There are additional tour times during peak periods.

iii. Jillabenan Cave: Guided tours are available at the same times as for Jersey Cave.

The following caves may also be visited but prior arrangements need to be made:

iv. North Glory Cave and Smugglers Passage v. Castle Cave vi. Grotto Cave

As well as the caves, the precinct contains:

i. A thermal pool - with water at a constant temperature of 27 degrees C.

ii. River Walk – a 3 km round trip takes visitors along the Yarrangobilly River upstream to the Rules Creek valley and Glory Arch walk.

iii. Glory Hole Farm Walk – a 2.8 km round trip downstream beside the Yarrangobilly River to a farm that supplied Kiandra miners with fresh produce.

iv. Castle Walk – a 3.2 km round trip, which takes visitors past hand cut limestone cliffs to Mill Creek Gorge and on to the more remote Grotto and Castle Caves.

v. Bluff Lookout Walk - a 0.3 – 2.5km round trip overlooking Caves House in the Rules Creek Valley.

The precinct also offers two sheltered picnic structures with BBQs and five open picnic and BBQ areas. The Caves Visitor Centre is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and a sign to this effect is posted near the precinct’s entry. The caves themselves are open from dawn to dusk. Interpretive information is available at the visitor centre and from information panels at locations such as the thermal pool and the cave entrances.

Upgrades of the caves’ infrastructure and thermal pool in recent years have led to a significant increase in visitation. The precinct receives 22,000 visitors annually with revenue increasing by over 60% in the last five years. The park’s brochure includes a map with a legend that indicates the presence of toilets at the visitor centre, the thermal pool and Jillabenan Cave. Accommodation requiring prior booking is available at Caves House (13 rooms with a total of 40 beds).

Patricia Wilkinson of NPWS has indicated that her agency would like text on any signage to refer to both “Kosciuszko National Park” and “Yarrangobilly Caves” and that the term “Precinct” need not be used on signage.

Phil advised that existing tourist signposting for Yarrangobilly Caves on the Snowy Mountains Highway 108 km south of the precinct’s entry is beyond what is allowable under the provisions of the Tourist Signposting Manual. Therefore, RMS will review the remote signage and it was noted that this may result in its removal. At the same time, RMS will consider what, if any, signage might be appropriate from this location for the snowfields.

Decision: Yarrangobilly Caves is eligible for tourist signposting in the National Parks, State Conservation Areas, State Forests and Major Water Storage Areas category.

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Action: Secretariat to inform the applicant and RMS Southern and South West Region as above.

2.5 Milparinka Heritage Precinct

An application has been submitted by the Coordinator of the Milparinka Heritage and Tourism Association seeking signposting on and from the for “Milparinka Heritage Precinct”. Currently, there is unauthorised tourist signposting for “Historic Milparinka” at the of the highway and Milparinka Road, which is 2 km west of the town, with follow up signage at the intersection of Hawker Gate and Milparinka Roads.

Milparinka is essentially a ghost town some 300 km north east of and 40 km south of Tibooburra. As noted above, it is accessed from Milparinka Road off the Silver City Highway. Milparinka Road is unsealed, except at its crossing with Milparinka Creek where there is a sealed causeway. Parts of the Silver City Highway are also unsealed. Both roads can become impassable during wet weather and consequently experience periods of closure. Large signs are installed on the outskirts of Broken Hill to inform visitors when roads to a number of destinations, including Milparinka, are open or closed.

The heritage precinct comprises the following structures:

i. The former Courthouse (now a heritage interpretive centre) ii. The former Police Station and barracks (now a visitor information centre and Driver Reviver Centre) iii. Former gaol cells (used as a Mining Interpretive Centre) iv. The former Police Station kitchen (now used to accommodate volunteers).

Outside the heritage precinct there are:

i. Two sheds, which form a Pastoral Museum ii. Public toilets iii. Two park areas with seating for visitors. iv. Several ruins e.g. the former post office. v. The Albert Hotel, which is open daily from 10 am to around 10 pm. Most visitors to Milparinka would visit the Albert Hotel for refreshments.

Although most of the structures within the heritage precinct were originally publicly owned, they have been in private ownership for many years. The Milparinka Heritage and Tourism Association (essentially a local community group) owns most of the buildings in the heritage precinct and leases the former Courthouse from the Milparinka Sporting Club. The precinct was in very poor condition in the early 1980s when the Association commenced restoration and repurposing of the precinct to attract visitors. Without the Association’s intervention, the structures would have further deteriorated and perhaps become unsalvageable.

As Milparinka is in the unincorporated area of NSW, planning provisions such as heritage conservation measures, do not apply. Also, the NSW State Heritage Register does not list Milparinka or any items within it. While there is no legislation to protect the precinct, the Association has demonstrated its commitment over many years to conserving Milparinka’s heritage. Milparinka’s remoteness and its lack of permanent residents also assists to keep its heritage intact.

The applicant has identified the following heritage themes for the precinct:

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i. Aboriginal: The Malyangaapa people were the original inhabitants of the area and lived on a waterhole in Evelyn Creek adjacent to the township. The name "Milparinka" is thought to mean "place of water". The precinct interprets the lives of these early people through displays of tools, interpretations of bush tucker, the meaning of common words, maps of trading routes, photographs and stories.

ii. Exploration: In 1845 's inland expedition made its way to the Evelyn Creek waterhole. Some of the crew camped there for several days while Sturt explored north into . The precinct presents Sturt's history through maps, photographs, and interpretive panels. Burke and Wills passed through the area to the east and displays relevant to that expedition are also presented.

iii. Transportation: Sturt used horses and bullocks and Burke and Wills introduced camels as means of transportation. Many early mining settlers were forced to walk from the river port of Wilcannia to the Albert Goldfields, pushing their belongings in a wheel barrow. When starvation almost cost the lives of those living on the goldfields, the NSW Government sent supplies via South on horseback.

iv. Agriculture: Pastoralists were the first group of Europeans to settle the Milparinka area and gold was discovered by a shepherd in the hills around Milparinka in the 1870s.

v. Mining: Milparinka was established as a town in 1880 in order to service the miners who came to the Albert Goldfields to the north in the late 1870s. With no water available in any of the areas where gold was discovered, Milparinka’s Evelyn Creek waterhole provided the water needed by a growing population.

The above themes are currently interpreted at a variety of locations and in a number of forms, e.g. the heritage centre (in the former Courthouse) has interpretive panels about local Aboriginal tribes, trading routes, tools and the Bourke and Wills expedition; externally, a pathway simulates the course of Evelyn Creek and interprets its history; pastoralism is primarily interpreted in two purpose built sheds adjacent to the precinct, which feature interpretive panels on topics such as the wool and cattle industry and finding and storing water for livestock; the visitor centre (in the former gaol) has displays about the area’s mining heritage, e.g. how miners came to the gold fields and information about mining methodologies.

The Milparinka Heritage Trail is another way in which the area’s heritage is interpreted. A brochure for the trail is available from the visitor centre or from the Albert Hotel when the visitor centre is closed. It has a map and text to describe points of interest in the village, including the former Courthouse, police station and barracks and three historic ruins.

The visitor centre is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm from April to September and is managed by volunteers, who travel to Milparinka and donate their time for periods of a few days to a few weeks. While the visitor centre is closed during the hot months from October to March when few people choose to travel in this remote part of the State, tourists are still able to access the heritage centre and experience the heritage trail by collecting keys and a brochure respectively from the Albert Hotel. Information to this effect is posted on the visitor centre and heritage centre doors.

General promotional material for Milparinka is contained in an eight page regional publication titled “Corner Country”. However, it does not mention the Milparinka Heritage Precinct in its title and it does not give the precinct’s open days / hours / months.

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The views of the Heritage Division of the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage have been sought regarding the application. The preferred name for tourist signposting is “Milparinka Heritage Precinct” because this is the most descriptive of the actual experience. “Historic Milparinka” is not an appropriate signage legend because it implies that the destination is a village / town with a substantial resident population, which is not the case.

Additionally, the following recommendations are to be conveyed to the applicant and while they are important, they are not pre-conditions for signposting:

i. Digital and/or hard copy promotional material, including a listing on visitnsw needs to refer to the “Milparinka Heritage Precinct” in the title. This will align promotional material with the name that has been requested for tourist signposting.

ii. All promotional material and notices on the doors of the visitor and heritage centres must clearly state the precinct’s opening hours / days, e.g. “Visitor Centre open daily from 9 am to 5 pm from 1 April to 30 September. At other times visitors are welcome to explore the Heritage Centre (former Courthouse) or the Milparinka Heritage Trail by collecting keys or a brochure for the trail from the Albert Hotel”.

Decision: Milparinka Heritage Precinct is potentially eligible for tourist signposting in the Historic Towns, Villages and Precincts category subject to the views of the NSW Heritage Division.

Action: Secretariat to advise the applicant as above and finalise the application if appropriate after receipt of advice from the Heritage Division.

3. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF 16 DECEMBER 2015

The minutes of TASAC’s meeting of Wednesday 16 December 2015 in the Sydney head office of DNSW 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 Opal Centre, Korora

Stephen Saunders, Section Leader Industry & Destination Development at Coffs Harbour Council has advised that he will submit a site inspection report for the Opal Centre by 4 February 2016.

4.2 Inquiry about signposting for “Historic Gundagai”

In 2008 TASAC was unable to support an application for Gundagai in the Historic Towns and Villages category because there was no local environment plan in place with measures to protect the town’s heritage. Miriam Crane, Council’s Economic Development Manager, has recently provided the following information about the heritage protection measures now in place and outlined how the town’s heritage is promoted to visitors:

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i. Gundagai LEP 2011 identifies and contains measures to protect 13 local heritage items in the town, one item of State heritage significance (the Gundagai Railway Bridge over the ) and two Conservation Areas.

ii. The town’s heritage is promoted to visitors in a number of ways, including a guide that outlines two self-guided tours; the Gundagai Visitor Guide, which promotes many heritage items; an audio tour of the Old Gundagai Gaol; and interpretive panels at a number of heritage sites.

In view of the foregoing members indicated that they would be happy to receive a new application for “Historic Gundagai”. Of course, the outcome will depend on the strength of any application and the views of the NSW Heritage Division.

The Hume Motorway is Gundagai’s nearest State road to Gundagai and it is understood that the exit from the motorway to the town is a grade separated one. Phil advised that there would be a number of possible signage treatments if an application was submitted and found to be eligible and that some of the treatments are likely to involve considerable costs to the applicant.

Actions: (a) Secretariat to advise Miriam as above. (b) Phil to consider what signage treatments might be possible and provide further advice to the Committee.

4.3 Removal of Cowra War Museum signs

At its December 2015 meeting TASAC requested RMS to remove unauthorised tourist signs for Cowra War Museum from State roads. However, before RMS could act on this decision, the signs were removed by another party, presumably the museum operator. Marty Cassell of RMS Western Region visited Cowra on 18 December and noted that the museum’s signs were no longer in State road corridors. A sign on the Mid Western Highway west of Cowra has been relocated onto private property adjacent to the road and a sign on the Canowindra Road has been removed altogether. Donna Wilson, Council’s Technical Officer Roads has been informed of the position.

4.4 Closure of Hermes Morrison Wines and the Mill / Windowrie Wines, Cowra

On 22 December 2015, Donna Wilson of Cowra Council confirmed to Maria that Hermes Morrison Wines and the Mill / Windowrie Wines, both at Cowra, are no longer operating. The destinations have unauthorised tourist signposting on State roads, which is in poor condition.

Action: RMS Western Region to remove signposting for Hermes Morrison Wines and the Mill / Windowrie from State roads and inform TASAC when this has been done.

4.5 Other Cowra signposting matters

It was noted that Maria recently spoke to the operators of Kalari Wines and Darby’s Falls Observatory, both in Cowra LGA, and letters were emailed to them on 19 January requesting that they submit applications to TASAC by 2 March 2016 so that the eligibility of the destinations for existing tourist signage can be determined.

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Cowra Council has indicated that an application for the Rail Heritage Centre is being prepared by the operator with assistance from Council and will be submitted for consideration at the February meeting. Council is also preparing applications for the War Cemeteries and the POW Camp site but estimated completion dates for these have not yet been advised.

4.6 Visitor Radio Update

It was noted that Ian Munro, owner of the West Wyalong Visitor Radio service, expects to submit an application to TASAC seeking continuation of signposting for the service by 12 February 2016 in order for the matter to be assessed at the 17 February meeting.

5. INQUIRIES RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING

The following inquiries received in the period since the last meeting were noted:

5.1 Historic Gundagai 5.2 Historic Sofala 5.3 Realignment of Tourist Drive 28 (Pacific Hwy-Wardell-Alstonville-Pacific Hwy) 5.4 Longyard Golf Course, Tamworth (RMS) 5.5 Port Macquarie Welcome Signs 5.6 Bunker Cartoon Gallery, Coffs Harbour 5.7 Tamworth Visitor Information Centre 5.8 Koala Park Sanctuary, West Pennant Hills 5.9 iFLY Downunder, Penrith

6. POLICY ISSUES

N / A

7. OTHER BUSINESS

7.1 Inquiry from Glen Innes Severn Council about existing signposting

Maria reported that, in response to an inquiry, she advised Peter Teschner, Manager of Tourism and Events at Glen Innes Severn Council, that TASAC does not have a data base of existing tourist signs and the best way to determine which signs exist in an area is for local councils to carry out signage audits. She also provided Peter with information about tourist signposting inquiries and applications received by TASAC from the Glen Innes Severn area since 2000. Only a small number of inquiries or applications were received from destinations in the LGA in that time.

The only attraction currently eligible for signposting on State roads is History House Museum at Glen Innes (application determined in November 2013). Tourist signage for Tourist Drive 11 (Deepwater to Glen Innes via Emmaville), which is wholly within Glen Innes Severn’s area, was found to be appropriately signposted and promoted in 2011 and as such is recognised as an authorised numbered tourist drive. Therefore, signage on State roads for the Tourist Drive is also appropriate.

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Additionally, Maria suggested that Peter might like to contact Ian Shanahan at RMS Northern Region to see if he is able to provide any other information about tourist signs on State roads in the LGA.

7.2 Koala Park Sanctuary, West Pennant Hills

The Koala Park Sanctuary at West Pennant Hills has tourist signposting from Castle Hill and Pennant Hills Roads, which are both State roads. It was noted that there has been considerable media coverage in recent months regarding concerns about the treatment of animals at the sanctuary.

Action: (a) David to contact the Department of Primary Industry about the sanctuary. (b) Secretariat to list the matter for further consideration in February.

7.3 Signage on Frederickton to Eungai Pacific Highway Upgrade

John Rozos joined the meeting to discuss representations to RMS from Melinda Pavey, the Member for Oxley, regarding signage from the proposed Frederickton to Eungai Pacific Highway upgrade. Specifically, Ms Pavey has responded to the draft directional signage plan for the upgrade by asking RMS to provide tourist signposting from the new alignment for Trial Bay Gaol and Tourist Drives 12 and 14 and directional signage for Grassy Head and Gladstone.

TASAC’s involvement with the matters raised by Ms Pavey is summarised below:

i. TASAC found an application for “Historic Trial Bay Gaol” (which is within Arakoon State Conservation Area and is managed by NPWS) to be eligible for tourist signposting in January 2012 so its eligibility for such signage is current until February 2017.

ii. Tourist Drive 14 (Pacific Hwy-Stuarts Point-Scotts Head-Pacific Hwy) is shared by Kempsey and Nambucca Councils. Tourist Drive 12 (Kempsey-Crescent Head-Gladstone-Jerseyville-South West Rocks-Pacific Hwy at Clybucca) is wholly within Kempsey Council’s area. Both drives are promoted in the Scenic Tourist Drives brochure, which was published in 2012 and both Councils have made reasonable progress to update signs along the drives, though there is still more to do. TASAC therefore expects that both drives will continue to be recognised as NSW numbered tourist drives into the future.

Action: Secretariat to send Phil and David information relating to the inspection of Tourist Drive 14, which was conducted prior to the April 2014 TASAC meeting held in Macksville.

7.4 TASAC Meeting Schedule

Please refer to Attachment 1 for the schedule of meetings for the next seven months.

8. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 17 February 2016 in Cowra (Western Region).

The meeting concluded at 1.15 pm.

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Attachment 1 – TASAC Meeting Schedule

Region Location Date 2016 Western Cowra 17 February 2016 Southern Bega Thursday 17 March 2016 Northern Mullumbimby 20 April 2016 Sydney Blue Mountains (TBA) 18 May 2016 Hunter The Entrance VIC 15 June 2016 South West TBA 6 July 2016 Western TBA 24 August 2016

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