[Members] Closure of Mt Keira Road

Fri Jan 11 18:24:27 CST 2013

Dear ICC members,

I and other concerned cyclists and walkers of Mt Keira Road sought a 
meeting with council regarding unscheduled closure of the popular 
cycling route with the purpose of seeking to have the road reopened for 
cyclists and walkers - given it was safe to.

The road was closed as a reaction to a minor slip which when combined 
with a risk of rockfall meant the risk to general traffic was deemed to 
be unsafe.
The good news is that the risk to cyclists/walkers is minimal and the 
council is now looking into reopening the road due to popular demand for 
cyclist and walkers only as a longer term plan is drawn up for fixing 
the road ( if that is a desired outcome - it may not be).

A big thanks to Ted Booth for organising the meeting (A 
cycling/walking/Wollongong "elder"), to Steve Werner from iBug (the 
cycling group that works behind the scenes tirelessly for our cause) and 
especially for George Takacs a local Councillor who is an awesome rep or 
us cyclists - he is the man with the cycling plan!

Below is the correspondence to Cyclist of Wollongong regarding the meeting:

Happy riding.

I will keep you posted on the progress.

Chris Allen

**************************************
Dear Wollongong Cyclists,

Following the projected long term closure of Mt Keira Road *  on 18th 
December, a group of cyclists who regularly ride the mountain sought a 
meeting with senior WCC officers on Wednesday 9th January.

[* indifinately or to 30/12/2013 depending on which part of WCC's 
website you access!]

The /purpose of the consultation/ was to ascertain the reasons for the 
complete closure of the road and Council's projected plans for reviewing 
road access, as well as the planning, funding and timing of any 
projected remediation works.

Cyclists and bush walkers were represented by;

Chris Allen - Illawarra Cycle Club,
George Takacs - WCC Councillor
Werner Steyer from iBUG, and
Ted Booth - President of South Coast Bushwalkers and member of a the 
Monday/Wednesday from the "Seniors Mt Keira Riders Collective" [convener].

WCC representatives were;

Peter Kofod - Director of Infrastructure and Works,
Michael Malone - Manager of Infrastructure, Strategy and Planning,
Ted Spasich - Design Engineer, and
Peter Tobin - Geotechnologist.

Photo 1  Road closure sign and gate

Following the projected long term closure of Mt Keira Road [to 
30/12/2013] on 18th December, a group of cyclists who regularly ride the 
mountain sought a meeting with senior WCC officers on Wednesday 9th January.

The purpose of the consultation was to ascertain the reasons for the 
complete closure of the road and Council's projected plans for reviewing 
road access, as well as the planning, funding and timing of any 
projected remediation works.

While no formal minutes were taken,  these numbered notes will attempt 
to summaries the discussion points of the meeting.

1. Road surface remediation and drainage works on the lower sections of 
the road above the archery range were completed in the week before 
Christmas following a 5 - 6 week closure of the road. This involved deep 
trenching, replacement of all cross drains and curb dish drains. Photo 2.

2. A geotechnical study by a private consultant of the section of road 
adjacent to the area previously rock bolted and 'spray concreted' was 
  received by Council in December [no date reported]. Following further 
clarification by Council offices about the 'risks to traffic', the 
consultant recommended this section of road was 'unsafe' on his risk 
assessment.

The advice appears to focus on road subsidence issues rather than rock 
falls from 'above'. The geotechnical report was not tabled nor sought.

3. Following this advice, Infrastructure and Works instructed that the 
road be closed. WCC website indicated on 7/1/2013 that this may be 
30/12/2013.

4. A pad-locked heavy duty gate was installed above the archery range 
before Christmas. There is one resident living above the gate. Six 
concrete barricades were installed [3 below and 3 above] the road 
section in question. Photo 3

Three of these barricades have three concrete sections. Photo 4.

The apparent 'excessive scale' of the barriers was a consequence of 
Council's experience on the Harry Graham Drive slip works area a few 
years ago when barriers were removed and pushed over the edge by '4WD' 
drivers.

5. It was suggested that there was a lack of 'high level' coordination 
between the scheduled drainage works recently completed with a 5 week 
closure and the scheduling of  remediation works on 'slip area 5'. This 
was rejected as the geo-technical report came after the lower works were 
commenced and the road slumping was a 'separate' issue.

Informal observations by cyclists in the affected area over the past 
year  does not support a recent 'sudden' movement of the road surface. 
Photo 5.

6. Discussion followed about other possible road opening options; 
  single lane traffic, load limits, only for bicycles and walkers. Risks 
related to a /single lane opening /were considered significant.

7. While no time frame was suggested, Council officers indicated a 
further review of the risks related to various road opening options 
would now be considered.

8. It was noted that the Council Policy [File 13.07.180] on Civil Works 
Notification on the closure of the road at very short notice had not 
been followed as the issue was 'an emergency' or the potential for .

9. It was suggested that road signage on the western and northern 
approaches to the Mt Keira Road closure, including at the Picton Road 
junction need to be enhanced to avoid driver frustration, particularly 
by visitors to our city.

In addition it was reported that heavy vehicular traffic [including 
trucks with dog trailers or /Dog and Pup/] has been observed on Harry 
Graham Drive traveling in to and from Mt Kembla past Obriens Drift.

Both cyclists and the Council officers recognised the value of the 
discussion and sharing of views at the meeting.

Meeting ended at 4.40 pm without an invitation to another meeting.

Cyclists are encouraged to contact their ward Councillor and request 
information about the Director of Infrastructure and Works determination 
on access to Mt Keira Road for cyclists and walkers. Email request(s) 
can be to council at wollongong.nsw.gov.au 
<mailto:council at wollongong.nsw.gov.au> with the names of your ward 
councillor on the first line.

The following WCC web site will give you the details of all the councillors.

http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/council/council/Pages/default.aspx.

This email is being forwarded to the Lord Mayor and all WCC Councillors.

We are looking forward to being able to ride the mountain again!

Regards,

/Ted Booth/

A member of Wollongong's cycling community

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