Transport for NSW McKanes Bridge Community Consultation Report April 2020 ii Transport for NSW Contents Executive Summary 2 1. Introduction 3 1.1 Background 3 1.2 The proposal 4 2. Consultation approach 5 2.1 Consultation objectives 5 2.2 Values 5 2.3 Consultation method 6 3. Consultation Summary 9 3.1 Overview 9 3.2 Overview of issues raised 10 3.3 Next steps 10 Appendices 12 Appendix A – Community Update 12 Appendix B – Postcard 14 Appendix C – FAQs 15 Appendix D – Feedback Form (online and printed) 17 Appendix E – Newspaper advertisement in Lithgow Mercury 18 Appendix F – Newspaper advertisement in Oberon Review 19 Appendix G – Newspaper advertisement in Blue Mountains Gazette 20 Appendix H – Facebook posts 21 Appendix I – Media Releases 22 Appendix J – Website 23 Appendix K – Poster 24 Appendix L – Poster for postponed drop in session due to bushfire threat 25 Transport for NSW 1 Executive Summary This Community Consultation Report provides a summary of the community and stakeholder consultation carried out by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to support the display of the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the McKanes Bridge upgrade. The REF was publicly displayed from We have considered these issues in finalising Wednesday 30 October to Monday the next steps of the McKanes Bridge upgrade. 25 November 2019, inviting community A Submissions Report has also been published, and stakeholder submissions on the which examines individual submissions, REF during this time. extracts and collates the issues raised and provides Transport for NSW’s response to TfNSW proposes to restore and upgrade the these issues. capacity of McKanes Bridge on McKanes Falls Road, South Bowenfels to ensure the It is available to view on the project website at bridge can meet the current and future safe nswroads.work/mckanesbridge operational needs of the road network. Public display of the REF and the The decision supporting consultation resulted in a total of 36 submissions, of which 35 were Transport for NSW as the determining from the general community and one was authority has considered the information from the Central Acclimatisation Society in the REF, Submissions Report and Incorporate (CAS). Community Consultation Report and has made a decision to proceed with Of these submissions, one was in support of the proposal. the proposal, and 23 objected to the proposal. The remaining 12 submissions offered no Transport for NSW will continue to position on whether they supported or consult with the community and objected to the proposal. stakeholders prior to and during the construction phase. The main issues raised were on the following topics: • The proposed design of the upgraded bridge; including the upgrade to 42.5 tonne and single lane access • Road safety near the existing bridge • The length and duration of the proposed detour during construction of the proposal • The response of emergency services during the proposed road closure • Potential loss of heritage as a result of the proposal. 2 Transport for NSW 1. Introduction Between Wednesday 30 October and Monday McKanes Bridge is the oldest of four remaining 25 November 2019, TfNSW displayed REF for McDonald truss bridges, and the only two span the proposed McKanes Bridge upgrade. McDonald truss bridges remaining in operation which led to it being regarded as having This display period was supported by a Stage Heritage Significance. range of consultation activities to encourage community and stakeholder feedback on the The Strategy and list of bridges was again proposed project. reviewed in 2019, with McKanes Bridge remaining on the conservation list. TfNSW is committed to involving the community and its stakeholders in the development and As the bridge is listed as having State Heritage delivery of projects and options to improve Significance, it is a requirement that any works safety, connectivity and liveability in local areas. to the bridge be undertaken in a manner which maintains its heritage significance, which is measured by formal approval under the 1.1 Background Heritage Act 1977. TfNSW proposes to restore and upgrade the The McKanes Bridge has been identified to be capacity of McKanes Bridge on McKanes in poor structural condition, with deteriorating Falls Road, South Bowenfels to ensure the timber elements which has led to reduced bridge can meet the current and future safe operation at a substandard load capacity operational needs of the road network. and therefore requires substantial maintenance to ensure the bridge can meet the current Of the 407 timber truss bridges originally and future safe operational needs of the constructed in New South Wales, only road network. 48 remain. A Timber Truss Bridge Conservation Strategy was developed in 2012 to ensure TfNSW investigated multiple options to conservation of these heritage structures. upgrade McKanes Bridge. The preferred This Strategy identified 26 bridges to be option was chosen as it met the heritage conserved, of which included McKanes Bridge. requirements and was approved by the Heritage Division, Department of Premier and Cabinet (formerly the Office of Environment and Heritage), while best meeting all other objectives. NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole and Nationals MLC Sam Farraway with TfNSW Environment Manager Western Neil Glastonbury, Bridge Works Western Manager Tim Stone, Bridge Maintenance Planner Daniel Weber and Director West Alistair Lunn during the Lithgow City Plaza drop in session on Thursday 7 November. Transport for NSW 3 1. Introduction continued 1.2 The proposal The proposed work involves strengthening the existing bridge on the same alignment, Reduced to ensure a stronger, safer and more reliable maintenance costs bridge while maintaining the heritage significance of the bridge. Key features of the proposal include: • Restoring McKanes Bridge by retaining Working with local the form (the original McDonald truss communities design and span arrangements) and the fabric (material type) of the existing bridge • Upgrading critical structural elements of the bridge with, superior and more durable elements. Enhanced safety • The upgraded design would include for all road users the following: – Replacing some timber elements with steel – Replacing some cast or wrought iron elements with steel or modern ductile cast iron – Strengthening the timber bottom chords of the trusses by adding steel plates – Replacing the existing timber plank bridge deck with a modern stress‑laminated timber (SLT) deck, to eliminate gaps – Replacing the existing timber handrails with a modern steel traffic safety barrier system. TfNSW’s Bridge Works Western Manager Tim Stone, Senior Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Officer Amy Millerd, Project Manager Rachael Verrender and Bridge Maintenance Planner Daniel Weber during the Old Hartley School Hall drop in session on Wednesday 20 November. 4 Transport for NSW 2. Consultation approach This section provides an overview of the approach taken by TfNSW to engage with 2.2 Values the community and stakeholders. Our values underpin our decisions and TfNSW is committed to engaging with the behaviours when working with customers, community and stakeholders to understand colleagues,stakeholders and partners. their needs and consider these when making decisions. These five values are: Our approach to consultation focused on an equal opportunity for the community to Customer focus engage with TfNSW representatives across We place the customer at the centre a range of mediums including online, written of everything we do and face‑to‑face engagement. 2.1 Consultation objectives Collaboration The objectives for consultation carried out We value each other and create better during the REF display were to: outcomes by working together • Build relationships and a database of interested and concerned community Solutions members that TfNSW will continue to engage with throughout the development We deliver sustainable and innovative of the McKanes Bridge ugprade solutions to NSW’s transport needs • Provide an update on the proposal to community members, businesses, landholders and stakeholders Integrity • Provide the community with an opportunity We take responsibility and to meet with the TfNSW team and learn communicate openly about the project • Provide the community and stakeholders with an opportunity to have a say on the Safety REF for the McKanes Bridge project We prioritise safety for our people • Inform the community and stakeholders and our customers. about the next steps involved in the approval and delivery of the project. Transport for NSW 5 2. Consultation approach 2.3 Consultation method A detailed summary of communication and consultation activities is provided in Table One. When determining the list of bridges to be conserved as part of the Timber Bridge Further analysis of the outcomes of Conservation Strategy, numerous consultation consultation is provided in Section three. activities were undertaken from early 2010 During the display period, information through to the end of 2012. In summary we was provided at three staffed community consulted with; information sessions in Lithgow and Hartley • 367 local historical societies in NSW Members of the project team were available • local councils where bridges were located to provide detailed information and answer questions about different aspects of • individuals who had made representations the proposal. in relation to this issue in the past • National Trust of Australia (NSW) and Information was also