Bellingen Shire – 2019

Signage helps to achieve a sense of place for the local community and visitors. It provides information that encourages appreciation and awareness for the environment, plays an important role as a tool in safety and risk management and can be used effectively to regulate visitor behaviour and activity. Positively presented and well-designed signage encourages visitors to be more aware of, and responsive to, the special place they are visiting.

The Gleniffer Reserves signs were designed to:
– increase awareness and guide visitor behaviour
– encourage respect and awareness for the environment
– promote respect and consideration for local residents and neighbours
– be positive and welcoming
– be informative and accurate
– enhance the visitor experience and understanding of the Reserves and surroundings

In order to minimise signage infrastructure throughout the area, a consolidated approach included placement of a signage/ information board at key Reserve and State Forest access points, with informative and regulatory signage integrated for clear reference at one location.

Visitor rules and expectations at the Reserves are set by means of clear and concise regulatory signage. Rules and regulations are then actively enforced through regular visits by Bellingen Shire Council rangers and penalties imposed for noncompliance.

Signage includes Gumbaynggirr language names for identification as well as current names. Through storytelling, interpretive information aims to enhance visitor understanding of the values and importance of a place and its social, cultural and environmental context.

A collaborative, consistent approach to signage design and implementation has been developed with Forestry Corporation NSW across adjacent State Forest areas, in conjunction with Council, the Gleniffer Stewardship Advisory Group, community and environmental groups.