Chapter Five |
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Family of Signs |
Combining the elements analysed above, the project team recommends the adoption of a "family" of signs for the Great Kai'mia Way, to cater for different environments (location of signs); different usage and ownership patterns; ensure the network is user friendly; and to maximise economy in construction.
The proposed family of signs includes four main categories:
- Display shelter/board
- Access control "slats" sign board
- Orientation "slats" sign board
- Track markers/bollards
1. Display Panel/Shelter |
Location
Display shelters are intended for use as an attractive educational and promotional addition to popular foreshore reserves and parks, which have existing passive recreation facilities linked by the Way. For example Como Pleasure Grounds, Oatley Park, Prince Edward Park (Woronora).
Also smaller shelters are recommended at major access points to community led initiatives where available funding permits. For example, for the proposed Burnum Burnum Track at West Menai, the likely major access points are at Treloar Place or Buckle Reserve (Menai) and Bottlebrush Place (Alfords Point) . |
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Dorrigo Design
Two-sided steel framed display shelter. available as prefabricated roof and wall sections. Information mounted in impact resistant polycarbonate faced display panels in aluminium framing. Visible display area overall is 1100 x 1070 mm per panel. It is designed with a connected pair of 100 x 100 mm posts to give rigidity to the base. |
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Single sided display panels at City Rail and bus stations are suggested as the Way develops, beginning with a trial along the Illawarra line from Oatley to Helensburgh and at Connex bus stations within the Woronora catchment.
Design Elements
The Display Panel should include all the Australian Standard information types as listed above in Information Content section, together with:
- The Aboriginal Dreaming Story of Kai'mia.
- Acknowledgment of the traditional custodians of the land
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- The section name and acknowledgement of the community, which named it as part of their stewardship area; for example, Woronora Way - Washington Drive to Old Bridge - "part of the Jannali Community Nature Walk".
- A contact telephone number (for example, Council or NPWS) for reporting incidents such as conflict with trail bikes and other anti-social behaviour.
- Advice on bushfire safety and emergency number 000.
- Acknowledgement of other major stakeholders: landholders or carers, and sponsors.
- A number to match against printed information, which could be produced separately.
- Direction arrows to be attached to signs at junction of one or more tracks and to Waymarkers.
An Example Display Panel |
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2. Access Control "Slats" Sign Board
Location
Designed for use at both ends of a sub-section of the Way, with a common theme of community partnership involvement, typically at major access control points along the urban/bushland interface. |
The project team recommends that all signboards be placed where public scrutiny is possible because of the increased risk of vandalism, the maintenance difficulty, and their visual impact on the natural environment.
Design
Designs should be similar to NPWS layout. The use of "slat" boards allows flexibility. Individual slats can be added to suit a particular section.
Beginning at the top of the sign:
- Slat 1 - Compulsory - GKW title and Gymea Lily emblem
- Slat 2 - Optional - title and emblem to be decided by community partnership
- Slat 3 - Compulsory - main destinations e.g. foreshore reserves
- Slat 4 - Optional - content varies according to groups and funding bodies involved in partnership
- Slat 5 - Compulsory - track users and grading symbols
 and safety information
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3. Orientation "Slats" Sign Board
Location
These signs are a modified version of Sign 2. Their aim is to clarify direction of travel and distances at main track route intersections, or where there is more than one route beginning from the same access point. The example illustrated (see accompanying illustration) is a potential sign located in Sabugal Gully guiding track users at the junction of the two main spine routes - Woronora Way and Woronora Georges Link.
Design
Again the design is flexible in that slats can be added or removed to suit different situations:
- Slat 1 - Compulsory - GKW title and Gymea Lily emblem
- Slat 2 - Variable - Woronora Way Shared Use Route indicated by walking and cycling symbols. Distances to the nearest settlement (in this case Engadine) and next major feature.
- Slat 3 - Variable - Woronora Georges Link is identified as a pedestrian only route by the walking symbol. Distance to the nearest settlements/suburbs.
- Slat 4 - Variable - Informs cyclists wishing to use walking route on slat 3, of the correct procedure and reinforces the "tread lightly" message.
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4. Track Markers/Bollards
Location
Posts to be installed at key points of interest along the route, and at places where the route is ambiguous. Where tracks intersect the addition of simple directional arrow(s) conforming to Australian Standards (AS 2899.1 standard symbol sign: 101) is recommended.
Along bushwalking tracks the number of markers should be kept to an absolute minimum, to minimise visual intrusion without compromising user safety and ease of navigation.
On streets and along management trails it is recommended that route markers are located at 1 km intervals as a minimum standard.
Design
After considering several options, including recycled plastic bollards, hardwood timber posts, concrete and steel products, the project team recommends an aluminium square tube design in powder coated river gum green. Dimensions are 90 x 90 mm square, and 1300 mm in length, with a cross piece welded on for in-ground concrete mount.
Aluminium was singled out as a cost effective solution (half the price of equivalent steel posts) for its durability in fire prone areas and ability to host track emblem stickers. Recycled Plastic Posts were considered as an even cheaper option, but stickers peel off easily and they are liable to burn in bush fires, releasing potentially toxic fumes.
A standard requirement of all markers is that they carry the Great Kai'mia Way emblem. Other information is optional, including: |
- The logo of a circular walk - as chosen by the community - where that route incorporates a section of the Way
- The logo of the relevant Council or another sponsor
- A number to match against printed information, which could be produced separately.
- Directional arrows to be attached where tracks intersect
The project team suggests that the Great Kai'mia Way emblem and other information on marker posts be produced in bulk on weather and UV proof stickers for attaching as needed. These stickers are hard wearing and require some effort to remove but are easy to replace and have proven a relatively successful means of reducing the consequences of sign vandalism . They should also have a reflective finish to assist users in identifying the track in conditions of reduced visibility, complying with requirements of class 2 materials in AS/NZS 1906.1.
Stickers also offer a cost-effective way of adding the Great Kai'mia Way emblem to signage installed by Councils and track managers on existing routes. |
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• Exec Summary 
Sutherland Shire Environment Centre | Suite 4 (1st Floor), 2-4 Merton Street, Sutherland NSW 2232