Bridge maintenance program provides tourism opportunity
1 Dec 10
The Kangaroo Valley Tourist Association were probably more concerned about the maintenance required on Hampden Bridge than any other group in the Valley and stood to be badly effected if the RTA original proposal had not been challenged and varied to more take the community needs into account.
At a meeting of the Bridge working group the following proposal was presented by Chris Warren KVTA President and was accepted in principle by the RTA representatives present and subsequently confirmed by the Authority so the emphasis has shifted from repairs and closures to restoration and historical significance.
Background:
Hampden Bridge is Australia’s last wooden suspension bridge from the Federation era.
As such it has been recognised for its industrial heritage values by the National Trust, the Australian Association of Engineers and is listed in the RTA heritage assets.
Planned repairs during 2010-11 will incur traffic disruption on Hampden Bridge.
Kangaroo Valley’s primary economic driver is tourism, accounting for an estimated $33 million per annum (figures calculated using the ATR satellite accounts and based on National Visitor Survey data).
The destination is also visited by 30% of the tourists that come to the Shoalhaven (SCC data 2007).
The structure is a vital element to Moss Vale Road, a main road that serves the community, the regional economy and a strategic transport asset to the state.
Hampden Bridge is also a critical asset for the local community and recognised by the Shoalhaven as an important tourism magnet and acknowledged by the wider NSW public as an important heritage attraction.
During the last three years there have been attempts to heal the relationship between the RTA and the Kangaroo Valley community following the furore over the clearing of trees on Moss Vale Road.
Critical Issues:
1. Repair work will result in timed planned closure of the bridge. This will require the RTA to alert traffic in advance.
Impact – danger of drivers, by word of mouth, translating selected timed “closure” to extenuate this to a wide “Hampden Bridge is closed” view which could have devastating economic implications for the community.
2. The bridge is being repaired and conserved to maintain its integrity. Impact – although vital maintenance work, the public often view RTA maintenance negatively as they can be frustrated through delays.
3. While the bridge is much admired, its full heritage values (engineering achievements and historic significance) are not widely appreciated. Impact – its full economic potential as a tourism asset and as a contributor to the cultural heritage of Australia are not maximised (particularly form a sustainability view point – use of renewable materials, use of carpentry and reflecting local materials – sandstone taken from river cliffs adjacent from the site).
Aim:
To turn the potential negative impacts of repair work into a positive economic and social result for the RTA, Shoalhaven and Kangaroo Valley community
Objectives:
A. Maintain tourist visitation to Kangaroo Valley
B. Deliver a positive message to community and commuters
C. Realise Hampden Bridge’s heritage values into an economic driver for the community and wider region
D. Demonstrate a positive partnership approach to resolving community/RTA issues
Strategies:
1. Headline the repair work as restoration, conservation with a long term preservation commitment
2. Conduct a PR campaign that softens the words “closed” to temporary delays in non peak traffic times. A single consistent joint message on all websites, press releases, media statements and leaflets should be maintained by all stakeholders
3. Promote the social cultural values of the restoration through:
- Viewing platform, decorative displays with graphics and images of original construction 1898 and interpretation
- School/TAFE tours
- Special interest groups and passing coach tours would be encouraged to stop
4. Appointment where possible of local contractors. There is a very strong positive economic message but also social implications that local people sort to contribute to the conservation work.
5. Official relaunch party, following repainting of timbers, cleaning (where possible sandstone) new lighting using solar power/batteries to maintain the sustainable use of materials positioning. This should coincide with the announcement of State Heritage Listing. Use of steam tractor going over the bridge and a fun family holiday weekend day would generate wider media interest and build a Federation heritage theme.
6. Brand the minibus (providing services during the time of evening and night closure) with Hampden Bridge graphics and carry interpretative information inside
7. Brief all Visitor Information Centres in Southern Highlands, South Coast, and NRMA on the restoration campaign.
8. Produce a documentary film during the project. This footage would be passed back to the media during the project to provide positive updates. The final film should also carry media footage of the consultation process and final launch party to demonstrate partnership and positive resolution to aid others in the future.
Longevity:
· Use original timber for seating in the village with engravings/plaques providing interpretation. These would both be in the village with gardens to soften and beautify the urban landscape but also placed strategically along the pathway through the community.
· Create a display at the Pioneer Museum Park using documentary film, original timber and utilisation of the graphics and materials from Point 3 strategies.
· The establishment of Friends of Hampden Bridge, which maintains a preservation strategy on the bridge, encourages fundraising to contribute to RTA resources to maintain the bridge’s world class status as an iconic Federation asset for the nation. All stakeholders should be founding partners and meet quarterly. This would continue to help the RTA’s image, help the local tourist economy, build local pride and build the bridge as an iconic asset for the wider Shoalhaven. Taking this public spirited approach may also assist in managing everyone’s expectations about heavy vehicle use on the bridge. Local bus company, industry in Bomaderry and Nowra could also be members of the Friends of Hampden Bridge. Funding could also be generated from the sale of merchandise (made by local people, rather than external sources like the People’s Republic, to maintain integrity and authenticity and further extend positive economic impacts)
Stakeholders:
RTA, KVTA, Road Action Group, Shoalhaven City Council