Greater Taree City Council have today issued a media release confirming that the load limit on Marlee Bridge will now be raised to 8 tonnes!
The 10 kph must remain to minimise impacts on the bridge, so please continue to observe this speed limit.
TD8 Action Group were pleased to see the crossbeam repairs treated as a matter of urgency, after originally hearing it would be January, then February. We pushed for a pre-Christmas response, knowing the kind of holiday traffic this tourist drive attracts over the peak season. Now, at least the 4WDs and campervans are able to cross safely and legally, as are ambulance and hopefully fire/emergency vehicles.
Many of you were there at the first public meeting when we were faced with Council's reluctance to spend any money on temporary measures. Now we have temporary repairs AND they are working on the temporary bridge as well. We should congratulate ourselves as a community for having raised the bar. We should also congratulate the Council for their responsiveness - they are all human too and could do with positive encouragement, so send an email: gtaree@gtcc.nsw.gov.au attention: All the Councillors, Graham Schultz, John Stuckey, and Gerard Jose.
Today's news makes a nice little Christmas present from GTCC to TD8 and all our Bulga Road communities!
Happy holidays.
From TD8 Action Group
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
TD8: Meeting Outcome with Hon Mr Campbell
Tuesday 15th December - the day had finally arrived for TD8 to meet with the Minister for Roads, Hon Mr Campbell in Sydney. A contingent of 8 headed south comprising of
- TD8 - Ken Cameron, David Marks, Colin Hurrell & Sandra Kwa
- GTCC - Mayor Paul Hogan, Graham Schultz & John Stuckey
- Hastings Council - Geoff Sharpe (Director of Infrastructure)
Mayor Hogan opened the discussion by outlining GTCC position and the dollars required to fund two permanent bridges for Marlee and Duffs. Mayor Hogan confirmed that
- GTCC are borrowing up to $1M for the temporary bridges
- Contribution over two years of $2.6M towards two permanent bridges
This means a total of $3.6M contribution from GTCC, thus requiring an amount $2M from the State Government towards the two permanent bridges. Less than a $1 for $1 contribution from the State, and we think a real bargain!
Sandra Kwa followed this discussion with a presentation of the Tourist Drive 8 Road, highlighting the many businesses and local sights and attractions. The presentation was left with the Minister for his further reading. This then lead onto the topic of reclassification of TD8to a regional road with Geoff Sharpe supporting from Hastings Council.
There is a thought from the group in attendance that reclassification may be a tough sell and at the very least a long term proposition. However we are continuing our investigations and will exhaust all possibilities.
In brief Hon Mr Campbell advised
- there may be dollars left over from the Timber Bridges Partnership Program, as some Councils had not proceded with their projects
- he would like this money to be spent prior to reverting back to Treasury (ie as at 30th June 2010)
- he would write to the RTA to obtain clarification of the Timber Bridges Partnership Program in order to understand whether Marlee and Duffs bridges are legible (as it appears that they are currently not), this obviously being an issue to receipt of funding
Otherwise the Hon Mr Campbell was non committal, and it is unlikely that the request for $2M will be reviewed and acted upon quickly, particularly with Christmas and the New Year upon us. There is also the real possibility that this money will not be forthcoming at all.
Although TD8 left the meeting with no commitment we certainly feel it is worth noting that a meeting with the Minister was held prior to Christmas and our issues raised and discussed with the relevant parties to hand. A real win by any standards.
TD8 will follow up late January 2010 with a view to further lobbying of Hon Mr Campbell and other relevant politicians, together with maintaining communication with GTCC on the bridges progress.
We wish to thank all in the community for their support, thoughts and advice over the last few months and wish you all a very Happy Christmas and safe New Year.
- TD8 - Ken Cameron, David Marks, Colin Hurrell & Sandra Kwa
- GTCC - Mayor Paul Hogan, Graham Schultz & John Stuckey
- Hastings Council - Geoff Sharpe (Director of Infrastructure)
Mayor Hogan opened the discussion by outlining GTCC position and the dollars required to fund two permanent bridges for Marlee and Duffs. Mayor Hogan confirmed that
- GTCC are borrowing up to $1M for the temporary bridges
- Contribution over two years of $2.6M towards two permanent bridges
This means a total of $3.6M contribution from GTCC, thus requiring an amount $2M from the State Government towards the two permanent bridges. Less than a $1 for $1 contribution from the State, and we think a real bargain!
Sandra Kwa followed this discussion with a presentation of the Tourist Drive 8 Road, highlighting the many businesses and local sights and attractions. The presentation was left with the Minister for his further reading. This then lead onto the topic of reclassification of TD8to a regional road with Geoff Sharpe supporting from Hastings Council.
There is a thought from the group in attendance that reclassification may be a tough sell and at the very least a long term proposition. However we are continuing our investigations and will exhaust all possibilities.
In brief Hon Mr Campbell advised
- there may be dollars left over from the Timber Bridges Partnership Program, as some Councils had not proceded with their projects
- he would like this money to be spent prior to reverting back to Treasury (ie as at 30th June 2010)
- he would write to the RTA to obtain clarification of the Timber Bridges Partnership Program in order to understand whether Marlee and Duffs bridges are legible (as it appears that they are currently not), this obviously being an issue to receipt of funding
Otherwise the Hon Mr Campbell was non committal, and it is unlikely that the request for $2M will be reviewed and acted upon quickly, particularly with Christmas and the New Year upon us. There is also the real possibility that this money will not be forthcoming at all.
Although TD8 left the meeting with no commitment we certainly feel it is worth noting that a meeting with the Minister was held prior to Christmas and our issues raised and discussed with the relevant parties to hand. A real win by any standards.
TD8 will follow up late January 2010 with a view to further lobbying of Hon Mr Campbell and other relevant politicians, together with maintaining communication with GTCC on the bridges progress.
We wish to thank all in the community for their support, thoughts and advice over the last few months and wish you all a very Happy Christmas and safe New Year.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
TD8: Ambulance Service - Important Information
This is the response from Ambulance Service NSW should local residents need to call an ambulance whilst the 2 tonne limit is in place on Marlee Bridge.
Ambulance Service of NSW has requested that we clearly advise the community in respect to the appropriate procedure when making a call to 000 for an ambulance. It should be noted that Ambulance Service could not provide all its call centres with definitive individual community procedures.
The actual call to 000 may be answered in any one of the 4 call centres located within NSW. The operator answering the telephone and assessing your call is an experienced triage person and follows a predefined script (See below) . You should
- Advise in detail the nature of your/the illness
- Advise your location, a clearly sign posted address is very helpful for our paramedics when they are trying to locate your address
- Call back number (very important) you may be called back for further information and assistance
- IN ADDITION inform the operator of any impediments to access your location, ie bridge tonnage limitations, detour details including time taken via this road, present weather and road conditions (is the causeway flooded) etc, so that the operator may make the appropriate arrangements to attend to your location. If it is considered that access via road would take too long due to the seriousness of the call, i.e. a life threatening call, a helicopter could be deployed if available to assist the road ambulance responding to your incident. Any information that could facilitate locating a safe landing site would also be useful if asked by the operator.
Please note that your call will be attended to based upon the resources available at the time of your call and is assessed on a case by case basis. We ask that you work with Ambulance Service NSW in providing the relevant details when calling 000.
A fact sheet is available on their web site, it is recommended that familles go to this web site, copy this and have it near their telephone. Please note that if you have any questions/queries you should direct them to Ambulance Service NSW and/or follow the Ambulance Fact Sheet as per below. The above is provided for information purposes only, and TD8 shall have no liability arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information and whether caused by reason of any error, negligent act, omission or misrepresentation in the information or otherwise..
AMBULANCE FACT SHEET ISSUED JULY 2009
For further information please contact: Ambulance Service of New South Wales Locked Bag 105, Rozelle NSW 2039 Tel: (02) 9320 7777 Fax: (02) 9320 7800 This information is a guide only on the understanding that the Ambulance Service of New South Wales shall have no liability arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information and whether caused by reason of any error, negligent act, omission or misrepresentation in the information or otherwise.
For all medical emergencies dial Triple Zero (000) immediately and ask for Ambulance 24 hr Complaints Hotline: 1800 269 133 generalenquiry@ambulance.nsw.gov.au www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au
Calling an Ambulance
The Emergency number in Australia is Triple Zero (000). In a medical emergency dial Triple Zero (000) and ask for Ambulance. Our response starts as soon as you call.
OUR RESPONSE STARTS as soon as you call
> The emergency number in Australia is Triple Zero (000). This is a free call from any phone including mobile and public phones.
> When dialling 000 an operator will ask which service you require—Police, Fire or Ambulance. Ask for Ambulance.
> You will be asked a standard set of questions by the call taker to help them get an ambulance to you as quickly as possible.
> Stay calm and speak slowly.
Information asked BY 000 call takers
> What is the exact address of the emergency?
> What is the phone number you are calling from?
> What is the problem, tell me exactly what happened?
> How old is he/she?
> Is he/she conscious?
> Is he/she breathing?
Continued on next page
Remember in a medical emergency
> Triple Zero (000) is a free call from any phone
> When dialling Triple Zero (000) an operator will ask which service you require
> Ask for AMBULANCE
> You will be asked a standard set of questions by the operator to help us get an ambulance to you as quickly as possible
> Stay calm and speak slowly
Information required from Triple Zero (000) call taker
> What is the exact address of the emergency?
> What is the phone number you are calling from?
> What is the problem, tell me exactly what happened?
> How old is he/she?
> Is he/she conscious?
> Is he/she breathing?
Once you have answered these questions the first available ambulance will be dispatched.
Additional questions
Additional questions will then be asked by the operator who will also provide further assistance or instructions depending on the situation.
Remain calm. Do not hang up until the operator has obtained the required information.
> It is important to teach children how to call Triple Zero (000) and provide personal information such as their name, address and phone number
> If you live in a rural area or an area difficult to find, remember landmarks such as ‘yellow house with blue picket fence’ for example
> If you are in a hard to find location have someone wait outside to alert the ambulance on arrival or leave the front light on at night
> Always provide accurate information to help us get to you quickly
> Road users should give way as soon as you hear a siren or see the flashing lights. Don’t panic or break traffic rules. That can make matters worse. Generally move safely to the left.
Ambulance Service of NSW has requested that we clearly advise the community in respect to the appropriate procedure when making a call to 000 for an ambulance. It should be noted that Ambulance Service could not provide all its call centres with definitive individual community procedures.
The actual call to 000 may be answered in any one of the 4 call centres located within NSW. The operator answering the telephone and assessing your call is an experienced triage person and follows a predefined script (See below) . You should
- Advise in detail the nature of your/the illness
- Advise your location, a clearly sign posted address is very helpful for our paramedics when they are trying to locate your address
- Call back number (very important) you may be called back for further information and assistance
- IN ADDITION inform the operator of any impediments to access your location, ie bridge tonnage limitations, detour details including time taken via this road, present weather and road conditions (is the causeway flooded) etc, so that the operator may make the appropriate arrangements to attend to your location. If it is considered that access via road would take too long due to the seriousness of the call, i.e. a life threatening call, a helicopter could be deployed if available to assist the road ambulance responding to your incident. Any information that could facilitate locating a safe landing site would also be useful if asked by the operator.
Please note that your call will be attended to based upon the resources available at the time of your call and is assessed on a case by case basis. We ask that you work with Ambulance Service NSW in providing the relevant details when calling 000.
A fact sheet is available on their web site, it is recommended that familles go to this web site, copy this and have it near their telephone. Please note that if you have any questions/queries you should direct them to Ambulance Service NSW and/or follow the Ambulance Fact Sheet as per below. The above is provided for information purposes only, and TD8 shall have no liability arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information and whether caused by reason of any error, negligent act, omission or misrepresentation in the information or otherwise..
AMBULANCE FACT SHEET ISSUED JULY 2009
For further information please contact: Ambulance Service of New South Wales Locked Bag 105, Rozelle NSW 2039 Tel: (02) 9320 7777 Fax: (02) 9320 7800 This information is a guide only on the understanding that the Ambulance Service of New South Wales shall have no liability arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information and whether caused by reason of any error, negligent act, omission or misrepresentation in the information or otherwise.
For all medical emergencies dial Triple Zero (000) immediately and ask for Ambulance 24 hr Complaints Hotline: 1800 269 133 generalenquiry@ambulance.nsw.gov.au www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au
Calling an Ambulance
The Emergency number in Australia is Triple Zero (000). In a medical emergency dial Triple Zero (000) and ask for Ambulance. Our response starts as soon as you call.
OUR RESPONSE STARTS as soon as you call
> The emergency number in Australia is Triple Zero (000). This is a free call from any phone including mobile and public phones.
> When dialling 000 an operator will ask which service you require—Police, Fire or Ambulance. Ask for Ambulance.
> You will be asked a standard set of questions by the call taker to help them get an ambulance to you as quickly as possible.
> Stay calm and speak slowly.
Information asked BY 000 call takers
> What is the exact address of the emergency?
> What is the phone number you are calling from?
> What is the problem, tell me exactly what happened?
> How old is he/she?
> Is he/she conscious?
> Is he/she breathing?
Continued on next page
Remember in a medical emergency
> Triple Zero (000) is a free call from any phone
> When dialling Triple Zero (000) an operator will ask which service you require
> Ask for AMBULANCE
> You will be asked a standard set of questions by the operator to help us get an ambulance to you as quickly as possible
> Stay calm and speak slowly
Information required from Triple Zero (000) call taker
> What is the exact address of the emergency?
> What is the phone number you are calling from?
> What is the problem, tell me exactly what happened?
> How old is he/she?
> Is he/she conscious?
> Is he/she breathing?
Once you have answered these questions the first available ambulance will be dispatched.
Additional questions
Additional questions will then be asked by the operator who will also provide further assistance or instructions depending on the situation.
Remain calm. Do not hang up until the operator has obtained the required information.
> It is important to teach children how to call Triple Zero (000) and provide personal information such as their name, address and phone number
> If you live in a rural area or an area difficult to find, remember landmarks such as ‘yellow house with blue picket fence’ for example
> If you are in a hard to find location have someone wait outside to alert the ambulance on arrival or leave the front light on at night
> Always provide accurate information to help us get to you quickly
> Road users should give way as soon as you hear a siren or see the flashing lights. Don’t panic or break traffic rules. That can make matters worse. Generally move safely to the left.
Friday, December 11, 2009
GTCC: Temporary Repair Works to Marlee Bridge
Thursday 10 December 2009
MEDIA RELEASE
Temporary repair work to commence on Marlee bridge
Greater Taree City Council’s contractors, the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), will commence temporary work on Marlee bridge next Monday with the bridge to be closed to all traffic next Wednesday 16 December from 8am to 5.30pm, subject to weather.
Work will be completed by the end of day next Thursday 17 December. This closure is necessary to provide temporary supports in advance of additional works being undertaken after Christmas.
As a result of the temporary repair work and bridge closure next Wednesday all traffic will be detoured via the signposted Warawillah Road and Comboyne Road route. RTA work crews will be on site from Monday 14 December to commence the necessary work and vehicles two tonnes and under will still be able to cross the bridge on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, however, traffic control measures will be in place.
Greater Taree City Council’s Acting Director of Engineering, Mr Graham Schultz said that the work will involve two extra beams being placed each side of the three deteriorated beams to be replaced. The work will require the bridge deck to be jacked up at each beam location and the extra beams slid alongside. “Following installation of these extra beams the truss will be re-tested by Integrity Testing to determine if the load limit can be raised for use by increased tourist traffic over the Christmas holiday period. Integrity Testing are booked to do this re-test on Monday 21 December,” Mr Schultz said.
Mr Schultz added that the load limit will only be lifted if re-testing recommends so, and then the load limit signage will be changed accordingly. “Of course, all these dates are subject to the weather conditions.
“After Christmas, the RTA contractor will return to remove the extra temporary beams and the three cross beams which are in a bad condition, and replace them with new solid timber beams. Prior to this work commencing Council will advise the community of any necessary bridge closures. Once this work is completed, the truss will again be re-tested by Integrity Testing.”
Any public enquiries about this work can be directed to Council’s Works Engineer on 6592 5199.
MEDIA RELEASE
Temporary repair work to commence on Marlee bridge
Greater Taree City Council’s contractors, the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), will commence temporary work on Marlee bridge next Monday with the bridge to be closed to all traffic next Wednesday 16 December from 8am to 5.30pm, subject to weather.
Work will be completed by the end of day next Thursday 17 December. This closure is necessary to provide temporary supports in advance of additional works being undertaken after Christmas.
As a result of the temporary repair work and bridge closure next Wednesday all traffic will be detoured via the signposted Warawillah Road and Comboyne Road route. RTA work crews will be on site from Monday 14 December to commence the necessary work and vehicles two tonnes and under will still be able to cross the bridge on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, however, traffic control measures will be in place.
Greater Taree City Council’s Acting Director of Engineering, Mr Graham Schultz said that the work will involve two extra beams being placed each side of the three deteriorated beams to be replaced. The work will require the bridge deck to be jacked up at each beam location and the extra beams slid alongside. “Following installation of these extra beams the truss will be re-tested by Integrity Testing to determine if the load limit can be raised for use by increased tourist traffic over the Christmas holiday period. Integrity Testing are booked to do this re-test on Monday 21 December,” Mr Schultz said.
Mr Schultz added that the load limit will only be lifted if re-testing recommends so, and then the load limit signage will be changed accordingly. “Of course, all these dates are subject to the weather conditions.
“After Christmas, the RTA contractor will return to remove the extra temporary beams and the three cross beams which are in a bad condition, and replace them with new solid timber beams. Prior to this work commencing Council will advise the community of any necessary bridge closures. Once this work is completed, the truss will again be re-tested by Integrity Testing.”
Any public enquiries about this work can be directed to Council’s Works Engineer on 6592 5199.
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