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Fisher Design + Architecture has won a national award for interpretive signage at Gleniffer Reserves.

The design excellence award for a project in the $15,000-$50,000 category was presented at the Interpretation Australia National Conference and awards dinner held in Melbourne on October 18.

Installed by Bellingen Council in March 2019, the Gleniffer Reserves Interpretive Signs aim to encourage awareness and appreciation of the precious and rich biodiversity of the Gleniffer Valley. 

Via positive, welcoming and informative messages, the signs offer visitors the chance to discover more about the unique environment, local Gumbaynggirr culture and European settlement history of the Gleniffer Valley.

The judges noted, “The project’s aims and objectives were clear: to share the wonder and beauty of the valley, while simultaneously directing visitors to alternative places to enjoy the region. The use of both video and audio is a fantastic way of taking visitors further into exploring the unique heritage of the place.”

“This is a lovely example of a well-thought out and well-rounded project. Every step was considered. The graphics and choice of recycled timber suit the project so well. The colour is perfect, even the ants that happened to be using one signage post (about fauna) help us see the value of sharing fauna stories.”

Positively presented messages and high quality structures encourage the visitor to be more respectful of, and responsive to, this special place they visit. 

The sign structures, made from local recycled bridge timbers, are designed to complement the colours and materials of the bush surroundings. 

Raw untreated hardwood timbers and rustic steel feature words have been left to weather naturally, and become a harmonious part of the Gleniffer Valley’s natural landscape.

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Bellingen Shire Council has installed new interpretive signage at the four reserves in the Gleniffer Valley, including Broken Bridge, Angel Gabriel Capararo, Arthur Keough and Earl Preston.

The signs aim to educate visitors, remind them to treat the area with the respect it deserves, and give them information about alternative locations.

“Not only do the signs make a beautiful addition to our reserves,” Mayor Dominic King said, “they also play a very important role in educating and dispersing our visitors. They aim to raise awareness on how special the natural environment is, give tips on how to protect the waterways, and emphasise the importance of respecting private property, as well as how to behave appropriately when visiting the valley.”

A key feature of the signs are QR codes which play a range of video content. “This technology enables council to promote other swimming spots across the shire,” added the Mayor. “The videos will aim to help reduce visitor numbers during peak periods by showcasing alternative locations like Dangar Falls in Dorrigo or our beautiful beaches at Urunga.”

Bellingen Shire Council’s investment in the signage project was supported by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, via the 2018 Regional Tourism Fund.

Each sign provides different information across a range of themes from Indigenous culture and European history to native flora and fauna.

They also highlight the important conservation work that the Never Never Catchment Group and the local community has completed over the last 20 years to improve the natural environment and riparian zone.

The signs were developed and designed by local firm, Fisher Design and Architecture.

The Gleniffer Reserves Master Plan aims to provide a vision for the reserves and reflect our community’s creative spirit and environmental values. It aims to preserve and protect the natural environment while retaining a sense of place through the implementation of ideas and design solutions. The key strategies employed focus on: education, information, infrastructure and regulation.

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The official launch of the Regional Tourism Product Development Project- the Gleniffer Reserves Signage, was conducted at the Earl Preston Reserve, with attendees including Bellingen Mayor Dominic Knight, General Manager Liz Jeremy, Manager of Economic & Business Development
 Michael Grieve, Councillors and the Executive Committee.

Designed by Anna Fisher from Fisher Design and Architecture, and engineered by Chris Wood, structural engineer, the signs were constructed by the Bellingen Council building works team. Designed to withstand the flood prone environment, the signs aim to educate visitors, remind them to treat the area with the respect it deserves, and give them information about alternative locations.

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Visitors to Gleniffer will soon be able to discover more about the unique environment and history of the Gleniffer Valley while learning how to preserve the natural beauty so that future generations can also enjoy this wonderful place.

The interpretive signage, to be installed at Earl Preston, Arthur Keough, Angel Gabriel Capararo and Broken Bridge Reserves before Christmas, has been developed by Bellingen Council in line with the recommendations of the Gleniffer Reserves Master Plan to inform, educate and positively influence visitor behaviour.

“Addressing the impacts of visitor behaviour at these highly-valued locations is a key part of the Gleniffer Reserves Master Plan,” said Mayor Dominic King.

“Adopting a ‘National Parks & Wildlife’ approach of positive, welcoming and informative messages, the interpretive signage is a step toward educating Bellingen Shire locals and visitors alike about the precious environment they are in, and encouraging respect for the surroundings and for the Gleniffer residents.”

A QR code on the sign panels will direct users to further online information about the reserves’ natural, cultural and community values. Videos featuring engaging animated characters and graphics reinforce these messages in a friendly and constructive manner.

One video offers suggestions for alternative swimming locations in Bellingen Shire, whilst a ‘top 5 tips’ video gives people brief guidelines for sustainable and responsible behaviour in and around the reserves.

Indigenous culture and language feature prominently on the information panels and video content, including highlights from a vibrant painting by Gumbaynggirr artist Keene Ballangarry and partner Natalie Bateman. Uncle Garry Williams, CEO of Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Co-operative, provided extensive consultation and valuable feedback on the content for the signs.

Acknowledgement of the significant community input from the Never Never Catchment Group outlines their outstanding contributions to environmental conservation in the Gleniffer Valley over many decades.

Local historians John Lean and Colin Sutton, along with the Bellinger Valley Historical Society provided fascinating stories and images of the early white settlement of the Gleniffer Valley.

The sign structures, made from local recycled bridge timbers, were designed by Fisher Design & Architecture to complement the natural bush surroundings. The raw, untreated hardwood timbers will be left to weather naturally.

The interpretive signage was made possible by a grant from the NSW government through its Regional Tourism Fund, managed by Destination NSW.

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A crew from Coffs Harbour enjoy Gleniffer’s rivers. The area is gaining in popularity and council is uncertain as to how to best cater for the masses.

The issue is not a new one and it was hoped the long-awaited, nearly $260,000 Gleniffer Reserves Master Plan would set out a course for sensible management of the area.

However, at last week’s council meeting councillor David Scott threw a slight spanner in the works by moving to delay the Master Plan’s passage through Local Government.

The motion requested five additional points to be addressed by council employees:

– the toilet facilities and car parking at Earl Preston Reserve
– car parking (including the cattle grid) at Arthur Keogh Reserve
– picnic facilities at Angel Gabriel Caparero Reserve
– the provision of refuse bins throughout the area covered by the Master Plan and
– an update of the graphics within the report.

In essence, the councillors’ concerns merely reflect what locals have been highlighting for years, namely excrement and environmental damage, and which are not explicitly addressed in the Master Plan.

This apparent oversight was not just Cr Scott’s beef either – Cr Gordon Manning spoke frankly of his unease regarding the plan.

“I have concerns about people shitting in the river and I do not think these have been answered,” Cr Manning said

“I don’t understand how this has not been addressed … there is just no solution in the report.”

Given the cost of building and maintaining toilets, Cr Desmae Harrison asked, “where is the money going to come from?”.

Cr Manning suggested “trialling port-a-loos during the peak summer period to see if that could be part of the solution”.

Council’s Michael Grieve responded to councillors’ queries by saying the Master Plan focussed on “information and education as the key strategy to addressing people’s toilet habits” and “it was a controversial issue regarding toilets … many for and against”.

He also noted once council “endorses a precinct” it encourages people to a central place and there are “consequences that come with that”.

Another aspect touched upon was Forestry Corporation’s Tuckers Nob State Forest, which surrounds the four council reserves. Though council staff were quick to stress “we have a good relationship with Forestry” the dichotomy of control means even the best practice document relies on State Government cooperation.

At the very least, it flags that people can park and camp free, and amenities are not closely available.

Or to put it another way, rubbish and folk’s faeces can wash down the river or lay by the roadside, thereby negating council’s best endeavours for hygiene.

Concluding the discussion, Mayor Mark Troy said he was “concerned the already lengthy engagement process was being extended further” but conceded it was important to get the document right.

Thus the motion was carried unanimously and an additional report, to be tabled at April’s council meeting, will be prepared to address the councillors’ queries.

The Gleniffer Master Plan acts as an overarching document with focus on five key themes:

1. Visitor numbers, sustainability and cultural heritage

2. Riverine environmental improvement

3. Reserve amenity values – infrastructure and maintenance

4. Managing positive visitor behaviour and

5. Local management amenity impacts.

A key finding of the plan is the recommendation to establish what has been termed as the Gleniffer Stewardship Advisory Group. It is anticipated that this group would guide the implementation of the Gleniffer Reserves Master Plan, provide advice to council and steer ongoing commitment to the protection, preservation and sustainability of the reserves. Implementation of the plan is proposed to be staged and priorities have been set within the plan with probable costings and suggested funding sources (including grants) linked to each.

Alice Burnet | The Bellingen Courier Sun | 15th November 2014

http://www.bellingencourier.com.au/story/3701896/gleniffer-reserves-master-plan-delayed-while-council-talks-amenities/

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Residents have until Friday, December 19, to express views.

The four Gleniffer Reserves are adjacent to private properties and next to the World Heritage Area of Dorrigo National Park and Tuckers Nob State Forests and have been enjoyed by the community for generations.

In recent years, promotion tourism organisations and local word of mouth has resulted in the area becoming increasingly popular.

Gleniffer residents have reported a large increase in visitation levels to a point where it is impacting on the natural environment and local amenity.

Local residents have been caring for the reserves for many years by maintaining the amenities and restoring the environment.

However, the level of visitors now using the reserves exceeds the capacity of locals to care for them.

A consultant team led by Fisher Design and Architecture has been engaged by the council to facilitate community consultation and develop the masterplan.

Input should be provided via the Gleniffer Reserves feedback form which is available from the council administrative centre or downloaded from bellingen.nsw.gov.au

Coffs Coast Advocate | 15th November 2014

http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/visitor-boom-prompts-need-gleniffer-reserves-maste/2454262/

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The awards are managed by Local Government NSW and recognise greater understanding and communication by councils to their local communities.

The Macleay Valley Coast ‘Discover Something New’ Destination Marketing Campaign was announced the winner of the Excellence in Communication Award (Division A: less than 30,000), with the judging panel describing the campaign as “outstanding”.

The campaign was designed and developed by Council’s Economic Sustainability team in collaboration with Macleay Valley Coast tourism, input from local industry leaders and the financial support of 170 local tourism businesses and Destination NSW.

“The judges thought this was an outstanding, visionary, well-structured piece of communication. It was inclusive, with both measureable and positive outcomes. Kempsey’s use of the ‘Local Legend’ concept brought out personalities within the campaign; it strongly identified the target markets which backed this up with a strong media campaign.”

Fifty-four council communication initiatives were nominated across two communication and reporting categories.

President of Local Government NSW, Cr Keith Rhoades AFSM, said that the standard of entries was exceptional and that the judges had difficulty in picking winners.

“The art of communication and engagement within Local Government has gone from strength to strength.

“The winners tonight have proved that they are experts in the field of communications and reporting to their community in creative and innovative ways. They are also not afraid to use technology and work outside the realms of their legislative boundaries to improve engagement and services to their communities,” said Cr Rhoades.

Kempsey Shire Council General Manager David Rawlings described the campaign as instrumental in developing a destination brand and identity for the Macleay Valley during the crucial post-bypass era, and for generating tangible growth in the tourism sector.

“This campaign was a crucial part of Council’s post-bypass economic strategy to boost the Macleay’s profile and destination appeal,” Mr Rawlings said.

“With an annual turnover of $189M and 554,000 visitors each year, the Visitor Economy is the Macleay Valley Coast’s fourth largest industry sector and it is a win for our community that this sector has now grown 10 per cent during the 12 months to March 2014.

“The objectives of the campaign signify Council’s determined efforts to ensure the bypass is embraced as an opportunity to reinvigorate our Shire’s character and reputation.”

The Dougherty Awards were established in 1981 and are judged by leading experts in the communications field. They are named after former Local Government Association President, Robert Henry (Bob) Dougherty.

Posted by Macleay Valley Coast Tourism: August 14, 2014

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