Listening and learning
1 Sep 11
As Chair of the Road Action Group, I was recently invited to address a seminar of senior RTA managers on the topic of “community consultation”.
The invitation was based on an RTA view that their experiences in Kangaroo Valley represent the worst and the best examples of consultation, a view many of us share.
I took the opportunity to speak about the “decide and defend” process adopted by RTA staff when they cut down 96 trees on Moss Vale Road in 2007 and the much more genuine “listen and learn” approach that has seen a successful resolution of differences over the restoration of Hampden Bridge.
Many will remember the total frustration our community experienced at the RTA’s approach to the removal of the trees, described by The Valley Voice at the time as “disdain, deception and distortion”.
The process of community consultation about Hampden Bridge couldn’t have been more different.
From the RTA’s initial proposal to close the bridge from 8 am to 4 pm on weekdays, we worked our way openly and collaboratively through information sharing, public meetings, consideration of alternate proposals, discussion and negotiation until we reached a satisfactory compromise.
Successful consultation also means the community needed to be clear about our objectives, and the Road Action Group was expanded to include wide representation, ensuring RAG was aware of all concerns and giving us some confidence that we could propose alternatives that had community support.
The closures between 6pm and midnight, 3 mid-week nights, have largely met the community’s concerns about conducting our business and living our lives without major disruption, while also ensuring the restoration work proceeded.
From all feedback, the timetable is working well and judging by the numbers of people using the shuttle bus (around 200 each week) most people are continuing with their normal activities.
It was also interesting to hear the warmth and
affection that the RTA’s engineers have for Hampden Bridge, which is regarded as a jewel amongst that RTA’s assets.
On his recent retirement, Kevin Kennedy, the RTA’s Southern Region Bridge Maintenance Planner was presented with a Hampden Bridge cake (see photo above).
Apparently bridge engineers become really absorbed by bridges and maybe it is not so surprising to know that, like us, they are proud of Hampden Bridge and committed to preserving its history and beauty.
More information and pictures of the work are on the RTA’s website www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadprojects/projects/south_eastern_region/hampden_bridge/pm_update.html
Wendy Caird