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Dear ICC members, <br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
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. <br>
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). <br>
<br>
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! <br>
<br>
Below is the correspondence to Cyclist of Wollongong regarding the
meeting:<br>
<br>
Happy riding. <br>
<br>
I will keep you posted on the progress. <br>
<br>
Chris Allen<br>
<br>
**************************************<br>
<div class="moz-forward-container"><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Dear
Wollongong Cyclists,
<div><br>
</div>
<div>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.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
</span><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">[*
indifinately or to 30/12/2013 depending on which part of WCC's
website you access!]</span><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<div>
<br>
</div>
</span><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<div><br>
</div>
<div>The <i>purpose of the consultation</i> 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.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Cyclists and bush walkers were represented by;</div>
<div><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Chris Allen - Illawarra Cycle Club,</div>
</span><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">George
Takacs - WCC Councillor</span><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<div>
Werner Steyer from iBUG, and </div>
</span><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Ted
Booth - President of South Coast Bushwalkers and member of a
the Monday/Wednesday from the "Seniors Mt Keira Riders
Collective" [convener].</span></div>
<div><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><br>
</span></div>
<div><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">WCC
representatives were;</span></div>
<div><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><br>
</span></div>
<div><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Peter
Kofod - Director of Infrastructure and Works,</span></div>
<div><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Michael
Malone - Manager of </span><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Infrastructure,
Strategy and Planning,</span></div>
<div><font color="#222222" face="arial, sans-serif"><span
style="border-collapse:collapse">Ted Spasich - Design
Engineer, and </span></font></div>
<div><font color="#222222" face="arial, sans-serif"><span
style="border-collapse:collapse">Peter Tobin -
Geotechnologist.</span></font></div>
<div><br>
</div>
</span><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<div><font color="#222222" face="arial, sans-serif"><span
style="border-collapse:collapse">Photo 1 Road closure
sign and gate</span></font></div>
</span><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif">
<div style="font-size:13px"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:13px">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.</div>
<div style="font-size:13px"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:13px">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.</div>
<div style="font-size:13px"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:13px"><font color="#222222" face="arial,
sans-serif"><span style="border-collapse:collapse"><br>
</span></font><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<div>
While no formal minutes were taken, these numbered notes
will attempt to summaries the discussion points of the
meeting.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>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.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>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.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>The advice appears to focus on road subsidence issues
rather than rock falls from 'above'. The geotechnical
report was not tabled nor sought.</div>
</span></div>
<div style="font-size:13px"><br clear="all">
<div>3. Following this advice, <span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Infrastructure
and Works instructed that the road be closed. WCC website
indicated on 7/1/2013 </span>that this may be 30/12/2013.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>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</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Three of these barricades have three concrete sections.
Photo 4.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>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.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>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.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>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.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>6. Discussion followed about other possible road opening
options; single lane traffic, load limits, only for
bicycles and walkers. Risks related to a <i>single lane
opening </i>were considered significant.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>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.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>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 .</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>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.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>In addition it was reported that heavy vehicular traffic
[including trucks with dog trailers or <i>Dog and Pup</i>]
has been observed on Harry Graham Drive traveling in to and
from Mt Kembla past Obriens Drift.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Both cyclists and the Council officers recognised the
value of the discussion and sharing of views at the meeting.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Meeting ended at 4.40 pm without an invitation to another
meeting.</div>
</div>
<div style="font-size:13px"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:13px">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 <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:council@wollongong.nsw.gov.au" target="_blank">council@wollongong.nsw.gov.au</a>
with the names of your ward councillor on the first line.<br>
<br>
<div>The following WCC web site will give you the details of
all the councillors.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div><a
href="http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/council/council/Pages/default.aspx"
target="_blank">http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/council/council/Pages/default.aspx</a>.</div>
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:13px">This email is being forwarded to the
Lord Mayor and all WCC Councillors.</div>
<div style="font-size:13px"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:13px">We are looking forward to being able
to ride the mountain again!</div>
<div style="font-size:13px"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:13px">Regards,</div>
<div style="font-size:13px"><br>
</div>
<div><i>Ted Booth</i></div>
<div style="font-size:13px"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size:13px">A member of Wollongong's cycling
community</div>
</span><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<div>
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style="border-collapse:collapse"><br>
</span></font><span
style="border-collapse:collapse;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<div><br>
</div>
</span></div>
</span>-- <br>
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