TASAC Minutes 15 October 2014
Minutes of the Tourist Attraction Signposting Assessment Committee Northern Region meeting
Wednesday 15 October 2014 in Committee Room 2, Ballina Shire Council Administration Building, 40 Cherry Street, Ballina
Members David Douglas Regional Coordinator TASAC and Drive, Destination NSW Phil Oliver Guidance and Delineation Manager, Roads & Maritime Services (RMS) Maria Zannetides TASAC Secretariat
Also present Caroline Klose Corporate Communications and Tourism Coordinator, Ballina Shire Council Ian Shanahan RMS Northern Daniel Boorman RMS Northern Wes Stevenson RMS Pacific Motorway Upgrade Project
Apologies Joanne McMurtry Tourism Officer, Byron Shire Council Belinda Novicky Executive Officer, North Coast Destination Network
AGENDA ITEMS
1. DELEGATIONS / PRESENTATIONS & REGIONAL SIGNPOSTING ISSUES
1.1 Proposed extension to Tourist Drive 30
A proposal by Ballina Council to extend Tourist Drive 30 (Ballina-Lennox Head-Byron Bay- Pacific Highway at Ewingsdale) to the south was discussed. The proposal envisages an extension of the drive south from River Street via the Burns Point Ferry, along River Drive on the eastern side of the Richmond River and returning to the highway at East Wardell. It is understood that Council received a submission in response to an exhibition of its Operations Plan from the South Ballina Community Association requesting that the drive be extended in this manner. Council has raised the matter with TASAC because the extension would take visitors past a beautiful part of the river and adjacent sugar cane fields.
David, Phil and Ian drove the proposed extension to the tourist drive the day prior to the meeting and made the following observations:
i. The Burns Point Ferry, which is operated by Ballina Council, is closed each day from 12.30 am to 5.30 am. The ferry also closes for regular maintenance between 9.30 am and noon on the second Tuesday of the month and has an annual closure period, which this year will take place from 17 to 28 November.
ii. There are charges for vehicles to use the ferry ($5 for a car and $10 for a car towing a boat, trailer or caravan).
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iii. As there is limited space where the road meets the ferry, any motorist who decides not to proceed to the ferry would find it difficult to turn around. This would be particularly difficult in the case of vehicles towing a boat, trailer or caravan.
iv. Only one of the State’s numbered tourist drives includes a ferry crossing. The Lawrence (Bluff Point) Ferry is on Tourist Drive 22. However, this ferry operates daily on demand during all hours and without a service fee.
v. The proposed extension would not offer any significant benefits for visitors from a tourism perspective. There is no tourism product or services along the extension and part of it travels through residential areas. In comparison to the existing drive, there are no benefits to the visitor experience from the proposed extension.
vi. In 2011 TASAC refused a request from Port Macquarie Hastings Council to consider an extension to Tourist Drive 12 because it would include a ferry crossing.
In the circumstances, the Committee advised that it did not support the proposed extension to Tourist Drive 30.
During the discussion the possibility that South Ballina could be considered for tourist signposting in the Seaside Towns category was canvassed. However, it was considered that the destination would not be eligible for such signposting because it does not “provide a range of facilities and services that visitors can access, including accommodation, food and fuel”.
It was also noted that, if Council wishes to inform motorists of the presence of two caravan parks at South Ballina, a more appropriate and cost effective solution would be to include the symbol for caravan parks on signage at the intersection of Burns Point Ferry Road and River Street. Both roads are administered by the Council and therefore the addition of a caravan park symbol is a matter for Council. While a caravan park symbol could be used at this location, the names of caravan parks should not appear on road signposting. Also, both caravan parks are too remote from the Pacific Highway for symbols to appear on highway signage.
Action: Secretariat to respond to Council’s inquiry in the above terms.
1.2 Mallanganee Lookout, Kyogle Shire
Mallanganee Lookout has existing tourist signposting on Bulmers Road / Bruxner Highway, Mallanganee. Eligibility for the signage is no longer current as TASAC has not considered an application for the lookout during the last five years.
RMS Northern is reviewing signposting in the vicinity and has advised that the lookout’s signposting is problematic as it does not reflect current design standards, the local road is unsealed and narrow with the access unsuitable for vehicles towing a caravan/trailer or vehicles without 4WD and there is an existing safety concern for vehicles turning to and from Bulmers Road at this location.
Photographs from Malcolm Wallis, Kyogle Council’s Tourism Economic Development Officer, depict the view from the lookout and show three information panels installed at the site. On this basis and if Council submitted an application to TASAC, it would appear that the lookout could be eligible for tourist signposting.
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Action: (a) RMS Northern to liaise with Council engineers about what could be done to improve sight distances and access road conditions. (b) Subject to satisfactory resolutions of the sight distance and access issues, it will be necessary for Council to apply to TASAC for tourist signposting before any steps are taken to upgrade signage for the lookout.
1.3 Issues raised by North Coast Destination Network
Belinda Novicky emailed David about the following matters prior to the meeting:
i. Signage for Coffs Harbour Visitor Information Centre: The centre has recently relocated from a site in Coffs Harbour town centre to the Big Banana. RMS has prepared designs and cost estimates so that road signage can be installed at the new location. These are expected to be in place in early November. Signs for the former location are in the process of being removed. Belinda is welcome to contact Daniel Boorman at RMS Northern for more details.
ii. Directional signposting for Nana Glen: This matter was raised with Belinda by the operators of Two Tails Winery. “White on green” directional signage is a matter for RMS and not TASAC. However, RMS confirmed that it considers that Nana Glen has appropriate directional signage in both directions from the Moonee Beach interchange.
iii. Signposting treatments for Raleigh Winery and Roses Vineyard: The operator of Raleigh Winery (open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm and daily during school holidays) asked Belinda why its signposting is on an exit ramp of the Pacific Motorway but signposting for Roses Vineyard (open daily from 10 am to 5 pm) is on the motorway itself. The following provisions of the NSW Tourist Signposting Manual were noted:
“State significant attractions will be the only attractions that can be signposted from motorways where the access to the attraction is via a grade separated interchange. A grade separated interchange is one where there are deceleration lanes and exit ramps.”
Raleigh Winery at Bonville is accessed from a grade separated interchange whereas the access for Roses Vineyard at Lake Innes is not grade separated. Therefore, the different signage treatments for the two businesses accord with the Manual’s policy regarding signposting from Motorways.
Action: Secretariat to provide the above advice to Belinda.
1.4 Members’ report on site inspections
David and Phil made the following observations arising from their site inspections in the Ballina area and environs the day before the meeting.
i. Please see 1.1 above for comments regarding an inspection of the route of a proposed extension to Tourist Drive 30.
ii. Dilapidated signage for a tour operation was observed on Council roads at the intersection of River Street and Las Balas Plaza with the following legend:
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Richmond Princess River Cruises – At Boat Harbour
A fingerboard sign for the cruise operation was also observed at another location. The signage is dilapidated and unserviceable to the extent that is no longer retro-reflective and can barely be read. The future of the signage is a matter for Ballina Council as the signage is on its roads. Nevertheless, the Committee members advised that the signage was so badly fatigued that it was in need of replacement or removal for road safety reasons. The members also noted that tour operations like river cruises are not eligible for tourist signposting. In this case the tours only operate once per week on Sunday, which is well below the eligibility requirements for tourist signposting. In the circumstances, under TASAC guidelines and if the signage was located on a State road, the only option would be for the signage to be removed.
iii. Signage for Minyon Falls on Coolamon Scenic Drive does not include a distance, which should be added as the attraction is a considerable distance from the location of the signs.
Action: RMS Northern to review the signage scheme for Minyon Falls with a view to improving the information for visitors.
iv. Dilapidated tourist signposting for Thursday Plantation was observed on Tamarind Drive, which is a Council road. The signage is no longer retro-reflective and is unserviceable. The position is therefore similar to that outlined above for the Richmond Princess, i.e. the signage needs to be removed or replaced. TASAC found that “Thursday Tea Tree Plantation” was eligible for tourist signposting in October 2013 but the operator has not acted on this decision by contacting RMS to upgrade signage for the business.
Action: Caroline to contact the operator about how they would like to proceed.
2. NEW TOURIST SIGNPOSTING APPLICATIONS
2.1 Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden
An application has been lodged to allow the name on four tourist signs for the botanic garden in Dubbo to be changed from Shoyoen Japanese Garden to Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden. The attraction is open from 9 am to 4 pm on week days and from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm on weekends, including most public holidays and during all months.
Currently the garden is promoted by a half page coloured advertisement in the 2013/14 Dubbo Guide and a brochure in its new name will be available by the end of November. The name of the facility on an opening hours sign at its entry also needs to be updated.
There are four primary gardens:
i. Shoyoen, an authentic and traditional Japanese garden with a lake, waterfall and teahouse. i. Biodiversity Garden with vegetation that is endemic to the Dubbo area, including Wiradjuri names and cultural notes. ii. Sensory Garden with an array of flora to stimulate the senses. iii. Oasis Valley, a dry rainforest that is currently under development.
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The garden has seating and a picnic area and some 80% of it is wheelchair accessible. All plants are labelled with common and scientific names and a map to show habitat. Some labels give more detailed information, such as uses of a plant in cookery or medicine. The garden offers visitors a variety of brochures, booklets and fact sheets about the garden, plant lists and care information on individual plants. Photos demonstrate the presence of several visitor information panels about biogeography, Central West Slopes and Plains Ecosystems and Grassy Woodlands. While the garden does not undertake scientific research, it is an active member of the Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand Inc. and shares specimens with other botanic gardens.
An officer from a neighbouring Council will be asked to undertake a site inspection report.
Decision: A site inspection report, updated brochure and updated opening hours sign are required to complete the assessment of the application.
Action: Secretariat to inform the applicant as above and finalise the application if appropriate after the additional information and inspection report have been received.
2.2 Bakers Creek Falls Lookout
Following a request from TASAC in March 2013, an application has been submitted to update the eligibility of Bakers Creek Falls Lookout for existing tourist signposting. The lookout, which is open daily during all hours, is east of Armidale and south of Waterfall Way between the villages of Metz and Hillgrove.
Bakers Creek cascades off the edge of the New England High Country approx. 140 metres into Bakers Greek Gorge. A rock-walled viewing platform overlooks the falls and gorge. Other elements in the view shed include the Hillgrove plutonic rock outcrops (a body of intrusive igneous rock) and metamorphic rocks to the south. Facilities include picnic tables, BBQs and toilets. A new visitor information panel is in the process of being installed at the lookout and art work for it was provided. The panel:
Describes the falls and drop to the gorge and links the attraction to the other waterfall attractions along Waterfall Way. Describes the historical mine workings visible from the viewing platform. Describes the watershed in the locality that includes Bakers Creek, which drains eastwards to the Pacific Ocean near South West Rocks. Creeks and rivers further west drain to the Murray Darling Basin and to the sea near Adelaide. Describes the geological formation of the New England High Country. Includes a map of the district that shows main towns like Armidale, villages such as Hillgrove and a number of gorges and falls, e.g. Dangars Falls, Wollomombi & Chandlers Falls and Ebor Falls. Includes “Regional Facts” e.g. the tallest falls (Wollomombi at 260 m), the highest point (Point Lookout at 1,564 m) and the average annual rainfall (1,670 mm).
A photo to demonstrate that the information panel has been installed is awaited.
Promotion of the lookout is split across a number of brochures as outlined below, none of which describes the experience fully:
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Two sentences about it in Council’s four page fact sheet on Camping and Outdoor Adventures refer to the scenic view over the falls and Bakers Creek Gorge and the facilities available.
Two sentences in the brochure for Tourist Drive 17.
Two references to “Bakers Creek Falls” in a brochure promoting Hillgrove, Metz and Long Point, neither of which describe the experience offered at the lookout. Instead, they merely state “This first turnoff to Hillgrove on the right travels along an 8 km gravel road to Bakers Creek Falls” and “Travel northwards on Chinaman’s Gully Road to Bakers Creek Falls and tour Hillgrove…” The map in the brochure shows the location of “Bakers Creek Falls” with a picnic table symbol.
Council should be encouraged to prepare a more complete brochure for the lookout, either as a stand-alone brochure or more comprehensive coverage of the lookout in a brochure that covers a number of points of interest in the district. A site inspection is to be arranged once confirmation is received that the interpretative panel has been erected at the site.
Decision: Following receipt of a photo to demonstrate that an information panel has been installed, a site inspection report is required to complete the assessment of the application. Council should improve the promotional material for the lookout but this is not a precondition for signposting eligibility.
Action: Secretariat to inform the applicant as above and finalise the application if appropriate after the inspection report has been received.
2.3 Metz Gorge Lookout
Following a request from TASAC in March 2013 an application has been submitted to update the eligibility of Metz Gorge Lookout for existing tourist signposting. The lookout is near the village of Metz and is accessed by travelling 19 km east of Armidale along Waterfall Way, then taking the turnoff to Metz and proceeding through the village to the lookout. It is open daily during all hours.
There are picnic tables, BBQs and public toilets near the lookout’s viewing platform, which affords views of the gorge below, the surrounding escarpment of deep spurs, the village of Hillgrove situated across the gorge and historic mining areas. A new visitor information panel has been designed for the lookout and art work for it was provided. The panel:
Describes the lookout’s view shed, including information about the rise and fall of mining that occurred in the area. The Bakers Greek Gold mine is a major feature of the vista.
Includes four photographs showing the mine workings in the late 1880s, an image of gold from the mine being transported to a bank, a large industrial shed and remains of a tramway as seen in 1978 and which is still visible today.
A photo to demonstrate that the information panel has been installed is awaited.
A brochure that promotes Hillgrove, Metz and Long Point describes the village of Metz and includes a paragraph about the lookout in terms of its location and the panoramic views it affords over Bakers Creek and Metz Gorges. It notes that both old and new mining activities are clearly visible, including an Antimony / Pyrites smelter and a chimney. In addition, the brochure has a map showing the location of Metz Gorge lookout and a photograph of the view of Hillgrove mine and cable car as seen from Metz Gorge.
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A site inspection is to be arranged once confirmation is received that the interpretative panel has been erected at the site.
Decision: Following receipt of a photo to demonstrate that an information panel has been installed, a site inspection report is required to complete the assessment of the application.
Action: Secretariat to inform the applicant as above and finalise the application if appropriate after the inspection report has been received.
2.4 Historic Armidale
Following a request from TASAC in March 2013, an application has been submitted to update the eligibility of Historic Armidale for existing tourist signposting. Letters of support from the Director of the University of New England Heritage Centre and the President of the Armidale and District Historical Society accompanied the application.
Prior to European settlement the district was occupied by the Anaiwan people in an area rich in plant and animal resources and volcanic rock for making tools. In 1818 John Oxley was the first European to explore the area and the first colonial settlers, who were pastoralists and squatters, arrived in 1830 to 1840.
“Agriculture” is the primary historical theme, with an emphasis on the pastoral industry. The prosperity of this industry led to the development of impressive public buildings, private residences, churches, monuments and parklands in the town. Significant heritage buildings include a Queen Anne style mansion known as “Booloominbah” that became the nucleus for the University of New England and an Edwardian homestead and farm known as Saumarez and many are open for visitors. The town also has a Folk Museum, a railway museum, a regional archives and heritage centre, a museum of printing and an Aboriginal Cultural Centre & Keeping Place.
Opportunities for visitors to learn about Armidale’s heritage include:
i. A 2.5 hour guided city bus tour, which leaves from the visitor centre at 10.30 am daily and gives an overview of the history of the town and district. Some 4,500 visitors per annum take the tour.
ii. A self-guided heritage walk around the CBD, supported by a brochure with detailed descriptions of buildings and a map with points of interest.
iii. A self-guided heritage drive around Armidale, supported by a brochure with descriptions of buildings, monuments and parklands.
Armidale Dumaresq LEP 2012 lists about 170 items of local heritage significance in the town and 15 that are of State significance. There are also four identified and protected Conservation Areas and 62 archaeological sites.
The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage will be consulted prior to finalisation of the application.
Decision: Consultation with the Office of Environment and Heritage is required to complete the assessment of the application.
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Action: Secretariat to inform the applicant as above and finalise the application if appropriate after the consultation process.
2.5 Historic Hillgrove
Following a request from TASAC in March 2013 an application has been submitted to update the eligibility of Historic Hillgrove for existing tourist signposting. Letters of support from the Director of the University of New England Heritage Centre and the President of the Armidale and District Historical Society accompanied the application.
Hillgrove village is situated 32 km east of Armidale and approximately 1 km above sea level on a granite plateau at the edge of gorges above Bakers Creek. “Mining” is the most relevant historical theme and the mining of Gold, Antimony (a brittle metallic element used in alloys) and Tungsten led to the development of the town in the mid 1800s.
The area’s landform and the type of mining undertaken required large amounts of capital investment. The nature and depth of the gorges necessitated the construction of tramways to transport miners and equipment 4,540 metres to the bottom of the gorge where batteries to crush the ore were established near the mine entrances. The Eleanora Antimony mine, which employed 80 men at its peak, was profitable but not excessively so and closed in 1917.
Gold mining at Bakers Creek was the other major impetus to the development of the town. For a time, Hillgrove was near one of the richest goldfields in the colony and the town’s population reached a peak of about 3,500 people. The mine closed in 1921 and the village’s population diminished to eventually reach its current level of 100 residents. The town’s decline resulted in the loss of many buildings, some of which were dismantled and moved to Armidale and other centres. Only two original buildings of genuine historic significance remain in the village and they are:
The Post Office, which is now a residence. The Public School, which now houses the Hillgrove Rural Life and Industry Museum.
Armidale Dumaresq LEP 2012 lists seven items in the Hillgrove area as being of local heritage significance. These are the former Bakers Creek Mine chimney; the former Bakers Creek Mine winding engine house; Bakers Creek Mine surface buildings; Eleanora Mine chimney; Garibaldi Mine chimney; a shearing shed at “Hillgrove Station”; and the town’s cemetery.
The Rural Life and Industry Museum is a focal point of the village. It is operated by Armidale Dumaresq Council as an annexe to its Armidale Folk Museum and is open Friday to Monday and Public Holidays from 10 am to 5 pm. Its exhibits give visitors an insight into everyday life in old Hillgrove and it received 4,200 visitors in 2013/14. Photos of the museum’s displays depict the museum’s exterior, entrance hall and internal and external displays. Interpretive labels are visible in some of the images.
The village also has two large visitor information panels relating to its history and some plaques associated with buildings or building remnants. Photos of the two information panels (in which the text is not legible) and three plaques associated with buildings were provided. One plaque describes an existing building while the other two have sketches of the former buildings that stood at the locations. It will be necessary to verify the total number of information panels and plaques relevant to the town’s history and to receive photos of them in which the text can be read.
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The following promotional documents were submitted:
1. A3 brochure “Hillgrove, Metz and Long Point Oxley Wild Rivers National Park”. This includes a sketch map of the Hillgrove business district as it was in c.1905 with building names on most allotments and sketches showing the facades of buildings on the western and eastern sides of the main Street.
2. A brochure for Tourist Drive 7, which lists Hillgrove as an element along the drive and briefly describes its historic significance.
3. Single sided A4 sheet for a Hillgrove Historic Walk that identifies 31 points of interest in the town. The brochure is in the form of a black and white photocopied sheet without a clear title.
It would appear that promotional brochures for the town are only available from the Armidale VIC and the museum in Hillgrove. The museum is a natural focus for visitors to Hillgrove who are interested in its history and it has a wide range of information. However, the museum is only open on Friday to Monday and public holidays from 10 am to 5 pm. People who visit Hillgrove mid-week when the museum is closed (Tuesday to Thursday) who have no prior knowledge of the town and its history and who have not collected brochures about it in Armidale, would need to rely on an apparently small number of information panels and plaques to learn about its history.
Therefore, more information is required to:
i. Verify the amount and nature of interpretive information available in the village on days when the museum is closed. ii. Ascertain whether promotional material could be made available in the village daily and not just when the museum is open. iii. Determine the availability of toilets and any other facilities or services for visitors, e.g. shops, rest areas or parks. iv. Ascertain whether the presentation of the walk brochure could be improved.
The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage also needs to be consulted prior to finalisation of the application.
Decision: More information as outlined above is required. Consultation with the Office of Environment and Heritage is also required to complete the assessment of the application.
Action: Secretariat to inform the applicant as above and finalise the application if appropriate after the additional information has been received and the consultation process completed.
2.6 Gallagher Wines, Murrumbateman
The operator of Gallagher Wines removed signage for the business from the Barton Highway in May 2012 because its opening hours did not meet TASAC requirements. Opening hours have recently been increased such that the winery is open Thursday to Monday from 10 am to 5 pm (closed Tuesday and Wednesday) but weekends only in August and an application for new signage has been lodged.
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The winery, which overlooks a river valley with panoramic views of the Brindabella Ranges, has a reputation for producing excellent cool climate wines with a focus on premium “handcrafted” wines. Vines were planted in 1995 with the first harvest in 1999 and a variety of white and red wines are offered for tasting and sale. A distinguishing feature of the business is its facility for the production of sparkling wine.
Interpretive information includes books and journals (Wine Regions of Australia, Wine Industry Directory 2014, Wine Industry Journal and Grape Grower and Winemaker). In addition, a chalkboard in the cellar door informs visitors that tours of the sparkling wine production facility are available on request on weekdays and at 11 am on weekend days. The tours cover aspects such as tirage, ageing on yeast lees, hand riddling, hand disgorging, labelling, hooding and sealing. They take 15 – 20 minutes and about two or three are given per week.
The ability to learn about sparkling wine production is a significant point of difference for visitors to this business and while the offer of tours on request is a valuable feature, the operator has explained that these may not always be possible if there are not sufficient staff to cover cellar door duties. Therefore, the visitor experience would be enhanced by offering additional written interpretive information about sparkling wine production (such as in the form of a photo album with captions or posters with labelled photos). While this is not a prerequisite for tourist signposting, a suggestion along these lines should be made to the applicant.
A site inspection report, which supports the application, has been received from Sean Haylan, Tourism Manager of Yass Valley Council.
Decision: Gallagher Wines is eligible for tourist signposting in the Wineries category.
Action: Secretariat to inform the operator and RMS South West.
2.7 Silos Estate Winery, Jaspers Brush
An application has been lodged to upgrade existing signage for Silos Estate Winery. The current operator, who took over the business about three years ago, has requested that new advance signs be located at 500 m from the entry for safety reasons. He also requested an information sign for “Australia’s Oyster Coast Trail” because Silos Estate is the northern most point and information centre for the trail and signage for “Berry Alpaca Centre”, which is also located on the property.
The winery is open from 11 am to 5 pm daily including public holidays during 12 months of the year. The application did not demonstrate compliance with the following eligibility requirements and additional information is necessary to enable it to be fully assessed.
i. The clarity of a photo of the business’s entry area is such that an opening hours sign cannot be identified, let alone read.
ii. The application indicates that the following interpretive information is available at the cellar door but no evidence has been provided to demonstrate any of the elements:
o Wine making explanatory material / brochures / scrolling LCD screens o Historic wine making equipment o Wine tasting notes.
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The following advice is to be provided to the applicant regarding the additional matters he raised:
o The location of any signposting is a matter for RMS to determine.
o TASAC is only able to assist with highway signage for visitor information centres that are accredited at level 1 or 2 in accordance with the policy outlined on page 34 of the NSW Tourist Signposting Manual. The “Australia’s Oyster Coast Trail” information centre does not have the necessary accreditation,
o Tourist signposting for the alpaca farm component of the business would require the submission of a separate application in the Primary and Secondary Industry category, which demonstrates that the farm meets the eligibility requirements of that category.
Decision: The application does not demonstrate that Silos Winery is eligible for tourist signposting in the Wineries category for the reasons outlined above. TASAC will accept additional information to amend the current application and show how it complies with the eligibility requirements if it is received by 30 April 2015. After this time, a new signposting application would be required.
Action: Secretariat to advise the applicant as above.
3. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF 17 SEPTEMBER 2014
The minutes of TASAC’s meeting of Wednesday 17 September 2014 in the Southern Region at Wollongong were confirmed. The Committee members and Secretariat advised that they had completed all the actions attributed to them from the meeting.
In relation to outcomes from previous meetings, Phil reported that new signs have been designed and ordered for the east side of the Golden Highway to direct visitors to Mudgee. He has also arranged for RMS to request that the relevant parties include Tourist Drives 18 and 14 on mapping data bases.
Action: Secretariat to send Phil an updated list of all numbered tourist drives that are no longer supported so that steps can be taken to remove them from mapping data bases.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
4.1 Yaraandoo Environment Centre, Ebor
The operator of Yaraandoo Environment Centre did not respond to two emailed letters from TASAC dated 6 May and 21 June 2013. Consequently RMS Northern was asked to remove the Centre’s existing signposting on 4 July 2013 but this did not occur.
Lorraine Gordon, Managing Director of the Centre, contacted the Secretariat on 25 September 2014 to indicate that she wished to retain the signposting and that she would submit an application. A further letter regarding the application process was sent to her the following day with advice that an application was required by 19 November 2014.
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4.2 Change of opening days for Yarrh Wines, Murrumbateman
TASAC found Yarrh Wines to be eligible for tourist signposting in 21 August 2013 but signposting has not been installed (RMS has been reviewing signage at the relevant intersection which is understood to be congested). The operator, Neil McGregor informed Maria on 24 September 2014 that due to low visitation on Monday and Thursday he had changed the business's opening hours to Friday to Sunday and he accepted it was no longer eligible for tourist signposting. RMS South West (Michael Buckley) was emailed about the changed circumstances the same day.
Decision: Yarrh Wines, Murrumbateman is no longer eligible for tourist signposting.
4.3 Closure of Wyndham Estate, Dalwood
On 18 August 2014, Stephen Guillbaud-Oulton, Public Relations and Operations Manager of Wyndham Estate, wrote to advise that the business would be closing indefinitely from mid- October this year. He expected that the last day of trading would be Sunday 19 October 2014.
Action: RMS Hunter to remove all existing signposting for Wyndham Estate as soon as possible and inform the Secretariat when this has been done.
4.4 Murrumbidgee Valley National Park, Narrandera
TASAC advised NPWS in August 2013 that Murrumbidgee Valley National Park was not eligible for tourist signposting because it did not have public toilets for visitors. This was the only respect in which the park did not meet the requirements for tourist signposting. Patricia Wilkinson of NPWS recently provided a photograph of new toilets installed at the park’s Middle Beach precinct in the “MIA II” or western part of the park. This location was chosen as it is where visitors tend to stay the longest and it is also well positioned within 2 km of the other visitor precincts at McCaughey’s Lagoon and Turkey Flat.
Decision: Murrumbidgee Valley National Park is eligible for tourist signposting in the National Parks, State Conservation Areas, Forests and Water Storage Areas category.
Action: Secretariat to advise the applicant and RMS South West as above.
4.5 Roundhouse Railway Museum, Junee
On 2 October, Keith Ison, Chairman of the Roundhouse Railway Museum, advised that despite efforts to revise its operational arrangements to retain existing tourist signposting, its opening hours (Monday – Friday 12:00pm – 4:30pm and Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 9:30am – 4:30pm) cannot be extended to meet TASAC requirements. Mr Ison also noted in his letter that the museum did not meet several other eligibility requirements. Consequently, he is not in a position to submit an application to retain the museum’s signposting. In addition, Mr Ison advised that he had approached Junee Council, which is willing to assist with alternative signposting, presumably on local roads and that Council has already removed the RMS signage, which is being held at the Belmore Street Junee depot for collection.
Decision: Roundhouse Railway Museum is not eligible for tourist signposting.
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Action: RMS South West to collect the signage from Council’s Belmore Street depot and liaise with Council to ensure that alternative signposting is not placed on State roads.
4.6 Monte Cristo Homestead, Junee
Monte Cristo Homestead is a grand late Victoria home, which was built in 1884 and is listed as a heritage item on Junee LEP 2012. The homestead is promoted on its website as Australia’s most haunted house. It is understood that both guided and self-guided tours are available during its opening hours of Friday to Monday from 10 am to 4 pm and daily during school holidays but these hours do not meet the requirements for tourist signposting.
The homestead’s existing tourist signposting, which was noted during inspections prior to the 16 July TASAC meeting, has become dilapidated and is unserviceable. In response to correspondence requesting that an application be lodged to determine the property’s continued eligibility for signposting, Lawrence Ryan called Maria on 7 October 2014 and advised that his father, who owned the property, passed away in early July.
Decision: A further extension of 21 days to submit an application is to be granted.
Action: Secretariat to advise the applicant as above.
4.7 Migurra Reserve Walking Track, Cootamundra Shire
Signposting for Migurra Reserve Walking Track was observed on the Olympic Highway between Bethungra and Cootamundra prior to the 16 July TASAC meeting. Cootamundra Council has not responded to correspondence dated 14 August and 1 October requesting it to lodge an application so that the eligibility of the track for its existing signposting could be reviewed. The second letter advised that the signposting would be removed unless an application was submitted by 14 October 2014 but no correspondence or other communication has been received (other than automated email responses advising that TASAC’s correspondence has been received).
Decision: Migurra Reserve Walking Track is not eligible for tourist signposting.
Action: RMS South West to remove all existing tourist signposting for Migurra Reserve Walking Track on State roads and inform the Secretariat when this has been done.
4.8 Mudgee Wine Tourism Region – alternative locations for information bays
Andrew Kearins of Mid Western Regional Council has suggested the following alternative locations for the installation of visitor information panels to support the Mudgee Wine Tourism Region signage scheme:
i. For the north western entry to the wine region the new suggested location is a rest area on Castlereagh Highway north of the intersection with Norris Lane. Andrew advised that the rest area is in advance of any wineries in the region and has good sight lines for entering and exiting vehicles. It is located about 8.5 km south of Gulgong and about 4.5
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km north of Gooree Park Wines, which is understood to be the first winery in the region for visitors coming from the north-west.
ii. For the southern entry to the wine region the new suggested location is the Cudgegong rest area which is approximately 1 km south of the intersection of Cudgegong Road and the Castlereagh Highway. This new rest area has a table, rubbish bin and shade shelter. Andrew considers that the rest area has good vehicular entry and exit arrangements, particularly for traffic heading toward Mudgee and is much closer to the wine region than the previously proposed location (the Ilford rest area). Cudgegong rest area is about 20 km south of Logan Wines, which is currently the first winery in the region for visitors coming from the south. The rest area is to the north of Bylong Way, from which Rylstone and Kandos may be accessed, but it is just before Cudgegong Road, which also goes to Rylstone.
RMS Western has indicated that both locations are acceptable.
Decision: Council’s proposal for new locations for visitor information panels at the north western and southern entries to the Mudgee Wine Tourism Region is supported in principle subject to confirmation that both locations have mobile telephone reception.
Action: Secretariat to advise Andrew as above.
5. INQUIRIES RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING
The following inquiries received in the period since the last meeting were noted:
5.1 Bella Vista Farm Park 5.2 Luddenham Raceway and Maria’s Olive Grove 5.3 Yaraandoo Environment Centre, Ebor 5.4 Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden 5.5 Urana Aquatic Centre 5.6 Mayfield Water Garden, Oberon 5.7 Mallanganee Lookout, Kyogle LGA
6. POLICY ISSUES
6.1 Northern Region Numbered Tourist Drives
The position with respect to the review of numbered tourist drives in Northern Region was discussed and is summarised in the table at Attachment 2. Actions for particular attention prior to the next Northern Region meeting are highlighted below:
i. Kempsey Tourist Drives
Actions: (a) RMS Northern (Daniel Boorman) to contact Robert Scott at Council to follow up the review and upgrade of signage for tourist drives in the LGA. (b) Secretariat to provide comments to Council on promotional material for the drives that was forwarded last month.
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ii. Tourist Drive 14 (shared by Nambucca and Kempsey Councils) Small extensions to both ends of the drive will be required to bring it to the new highway alignment. Nambucca has upgraded signage for the drive in its area but this has yet to occur on that part of the drive in Kempsey Council’s area (see a. above). If Kempsey upgrades signage for the drive in its area within an appropriate timeframe, RMS will pay for signs on the new motorway.
Action: RMS Northern (Daniel Boorman) to liaise with Kempsey Council about this matter.
iii. Tourist Drive 17 (shared by Guyra and Uralla Councils)
Action: RMS Northern (Daniel Boorman) to liaise with Guyra about progressing the findings of its signage audit for that part of the drive in its area.
iv. Tourist Drives 16 (Bellingen Council) and Tourist Drive 18 (shared by Bellingen and Coffs Harbour Councils)
A bypass of the Pacific Highway at Urunga could be completed in early 2016. In October 2012 representatives of the Urunga Mylestom Chamber of Commerce and Bellingen Shire Council attended a TASAC meeting to discuss a proposal for a new touring route that could be established in association with the highway upgrade. TASAC indicated that it would be prepared to consider proposals to amend tourist drives where they are affected by physical road works. At the time it was thought that a new tourist drive could be established to be known as Tourist Drive 18 and Tourist Drive 16 would cease to exist. As the bypass works are progressing towards completion, it is now timely for the two Councils to work together to formulate a proposal regarding a new tourist drive for referral to TASAC. The Councils should also share the preparation of appropriate promotional material for a new drive.
Action: RMS Northern (Daniel Boorman) to approach Bellingen and Coffs Harbour Councils about this matter and to keep the Committee informed about progress.
Advice about progress with each of the above actions is to be submitted to the Secretariat by 27 March 2015.
7. OTHER BUSINESS
7.1 Legendary Pacific Coast visitor information panels
Wes updated the meeting about the position regarding additional visitor information panels to be installed to support the Legendary Pacific Coast touring route. Visitor information panels have been installed at 10 rest areas and it was originally envisaged that panels would be installed at another 11 rest areas. Wes explained that RMS is committed to installing panels as new rest areas come on line at locations that coincide with the originally proposed panel locations (i.e. in advance of major regional tourism destinations). However, he recognised that this process is likely to leave some gaps. David commented that his agency wished to coordinate the tourism content for any new information panels.
Action: Wes to provide the Secretariat with a list of the locations where new rest areas are planned.
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7.2 Urana Aquatic Centre
Daris Olsauskas, Urana Council’s Director, Development Services Urana Council sought TASAC’s advice about the possibility of tourist signposting for the Urana Aquatic Centre and arranged for some information (five paragraphs of text and a photo) describing the facility to be provided.
Most of the written descriptive information relates to a caravan park, new cabins and camp kitchen at the site. However, accommodation facilities such as caravan parks and cabins are not eligible for white on brown tourist signposting and TASAC is therefore unable to assist with signposting for the caravan park at the site.
One paragraph of the text refers to the Aquatic Centre Reserve and its birdlife, 4 km walking track and outdoor exercise stations. A photo of the reserve showing a picnic table beside a body of water was included.
Tourist signposting is not available for local parks and reserves or sports based activities, such as swimming centres or playing fields. However, in special circumstances, TASAC is able to consider recreation reserves for signposting as major tourist attractions in the Outdoor/ Nature Based Attractions category if justified by virtue of their scale, quality and significance to visitors. Therefore, applicants must be able to make a case that a park or reserve is of such a scale and offers a wide variety of activities that it is significant to, and draws an appreciable number of visitors from, a large catchment area. Unfortunately there is nothing in the documentation provided to suggest that Urana Aquatic Centre Reserve could meet the requirements for tourist signposting.
Action: Secretariat to provide the above advice to the inquirer.
7.3 Signage for Wollomombi Gorge
Ian advised that NPWS has not acted to improve existing dilapidated signposting for Wollomombi Gorge Oxley Wild Rivers National Park despite a decision by TASAC on 18 September 2013, which found it to be eligible for such signposting.
Action: Secretariat to raise the matter with NPWS
7.4 TASAC Meeting Schedule
Please refer to Attachment 1 for the schedule of meetings for the next six months. The next Northern Region meeting will be held on 22 April 2015 in Port Macquarie.
It was also noted that the next Southern region meeting to be held on 18 March 2015 will take place in Moss Vale and not Mittagong as previously advised.
8. NEXT MEETING
Wednesday 12 November 2014 in Parramatta (Sydney Region).
The meeting concluded at 1.00 pm
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Attachment 1 – TASAC Meeting Schedule
Region Location Date
2014 Sydney Parramatta 12 November 2014 N / A Sydney 10 December 2014 2015 N / A Sydney 21 January 2015 Western Forbes 18 February 2015 Southern Moss Vale 18 March 2015 Northern Port Macquarie 22 April 2015
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