Concerns over size of the size and construction of the Whale Watching platform

Hello Everyone
Kieran has asked for some more feedback on the points that he raises below.
Can you please leave a comment below as to what you think of this.
I'll add mine in a minute.
Thanks
Anthony

From: kierankinney 

Subject: Re: boardwalk plans

Date: 10 May 2013 5:34:21 PM AEST

To: bodhi aldridge 

thanks very much for that Nick.

My initial reaction to this plan, though it is professional and appears attractive, is that it is an overdevelopment of the site. In launching the idea initially I was really only interested in tidying up that first area as you arrive on the site and provide a zone for people to stop ,sit and hopefully choose to go no further.This zone measures about 15m beyond the last bit of boardwalk. (lets call it the scuzzy area!) I envisaged a boardwalk and seating there.The existing plans looks great for that area! I like it very much. 

The rest of the site, should, in my mind, remain informal. This east facing bluff of the headland is actually a rather small site, very wild and wooly, I would want to retain that wildness, that essence. In short I think the plan, in its current form, is an overdevelopment of the site and rather heavy handed.

The headland is under enormous pressure from visitation...The provision of comfort seating at the 'arrival' zone will actually go a long way to reducing trampling and erosion, as many people, i believe, will choose to rest here and go no further. That is really an important consideration. 

An alternative to boardwalking large slabs of the bluff is to formalise track ways on that eastern bluff with discreet and subtle use of stone flagging... large beautiful slabs of stone (sourced locally) placed with great finesse and design into the landscape to guide people away from certain areas and help reduce the erosion and trampling of vegetation.

Dont get me wrong..I love extensive boardwalks..but this site is very small and full of subtle beauty underfoot, this will be lost i think, with such a large development.

When visiting europe many years ago i noticed the organic way old cultures have formalised ancient trackways in wild places...invariably using local stone flagging and steps.. Stunning and beautiful. Yes there are logistical issues and cost issues. I will admit that. But we can start small.

Any way... thats another discussion. I thoroughly like the plan for the first 15 metres ,then it loses me after that I'm afraid.I'd advocate limiting the boardwalk structure to that first 15m. I'm keen to hear any opinions and open up discussion if people feel strongly either way.I have included a few pics that go some way to illustrating my ideas about stone flagging. 

best wishes, kieran

Whale Watching Platform Grant Approved

KERRI SOMMERVILLE

CABARITA BEACH SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB INC

PO BOX 152

BOGANGAR   NSW   2488

Dear Applicant

I write to advise you and offer my congratulations on your organisation’s successful application, number CBPP-6291-15857-12-13 for NORRIES HEADLAND WHALE WATCHING PLATFORM in the 2012 NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership program (CBP).

The NSW Government is committed to renovating infrastructure and strengthening our local environment and communities.

Renovating our infrastructure is central to achieving economic growth.  The right infrastructure, in the right places, not only boosts productivity and competitiveness, but makes a difference to people’s quality of life.  The NSW Government trusts and encourages local energy, innovation and ownership and work to strengthen community relationships.

Shortly NSW Government officers will be in contact with you to resolve any outstanding issues and if satisfactory a draft contract offer will be forwarded to you by the end of April for funding of $16,289 for your organisation.

I wish you every success with your project which I am sure will provide improved local infrastructure for the benefit of your community.

Yours sincerely

SIGNED

Barry O’Farrell MP

Premier

Updated Sketch of Whale Watching Platform as submitted

Version 2 of the Whale Watching Platform Design

Hi all,

Attached is a sketch plan (ignore the sections) I my understanding of the new direction. As per Nick's email I will fix this up and send something through early next week. Ignore the paving area also- I believe it will be deck.

I think this idea of a wide boardwalk / narrow deck is better. This will allow us to get seating along the western edge of the decks and the whole eastern edge becomes a seating element also due to the natural slope of the ground.

Let me know if you have any comments.

Thanks

Dan

Norries Headland Whale Watching Platform Update

bodhi nick aldridge	5:22 PM (1 hour ago)
to me, mike, Luke, Dan

Hi guys, I have still not worked the blog out so i will give this update and one of you may update the blog:

I had another meeting with Rod Keevers from TSc on site today with Dans sketch ( tried to get a hold of mike without success )

rod then met with the TSC carpenter on site and spoke to myself and Dan Plummer over the phone.

TSC have decided to embrace Dans sketch with the following changes:

1, instead of paving, the current seat will be replaced by a 3x3mt timber deck with a seat built in at the back with seperate steps in and out

2. the decks dan has suggested will now only be 3x4mts and 3x3mts with seats built into them to avoid them being too big and requiring a handrail

next steps:

1. TSC are costing the above project and hope to have it done by friday

2.Dan is going to amend his sketch and have it to us by monday

3. hopefully anthony can log in to the grant site tomorrow and start writing

4. i have spoken to Jane Lofthouse from TSC as well and she will provide us with written owners consent to lodge the grant

 Bodhi Nick Aldridge

Leadership Coach

0412665857

bodhi.nick@gmail.com

join me on facebook:www.facebook.com/ leadership from the heart tours

www.spiritadventuretours.com.au

Meeting - Walk 18th August

Present   Luke, Anthony, Keiran, Fay, Christian, Ron, Andrew, Mike

Task  -  To review the condition of the trail - From Pandanus Ave over Cabarita Hill and to Norries Headland.

The following is a list of points for discussion concerning the trail in question. These were my notes but as there was frequent separation into small groups I suggest other points be added by others to supplement these notes.

• There is a trail sign at the end of Pandanus Ave. It was suggested that this may be an excellent site for a supplementary sign to give an overview of the numerous recreational walking trails in Cabarita Beach / Bogangar.
• Heading south the first viewing platform requires some maintenance , repair of the stainless steel wire balustrade and Oiling of the decking timbers and handrails. (issue - safety and amenity)
• The first garden bed near this platform is very disappointing and should be replanted with native species to enhance the commencement of this trail.
• 
• It was obvious that the homeowners above the hotel or hotel gardeners are dumping garden cuttings adjacent to the path. This has allowed non indigenous plants and weeds to escape and degrade the slope. (issue - bush integrity)
• 
• The path has been substantially damaged below the Norfolk Island Pine and needs lifting levelling and relaying (issue - safety)
• 
• There are some safety hazards like the tree branch stump facing down being able to strike someone in the head. White paint on the edge of the steps could be redone.
• 
• Keiran advised that he has surveyed the Littoral forest and identified over 200 native species. This constitutes a precious biodiversity locality. Interpretive signs re this flora would help to educate our community and enhance our levels of respect and care for this region. He indicated that council has a bush futures officer who may be able to link us to some resources for this purpose.
• Mention was made that some History of the Littoral Forest may be gleaned by contacting the author of a book about the region. (lives in Palm Ave right next to the foreshore)
• Keiran informed us that the Littoral Forest is regenerating itself and that our actions should be to identify the major issues that affect sustainability, safety or aesthetics so that the ecosystems can hold up under the pressure.
• The walkways skirting the headland carpark are becoming a problem.(issue safety and sustainability) Walkers in this region try to keep their separation from the traffic / parking area. 
• 
• The frail nature of the soils combined with high rainfall and increased numbers of walkers have created several eroded goat tracks of dubious safety. Paths following the contours of the hill could help give separation and safety without compromising the aesthetics.
• 
• Erosion at the foot of the Casuarina tree at the edge of the car park could start to jeopardise this tree soon.
• Hopefully council signage in this car parking region can be kept at low levels to ensure the sea vistas are not degraded.
• 
• The trail through Lions Park is another meeting point which could be home to an interpretive sign showing an overview of walking trails and options for visitors and residents. Some mentioned the foot of the boardwalk as a possible site.
• The coucil is currently working on restoring the fencing leading to the boardwalk at the base of Norries headland.
• 
• The midden site might be be restored as part of this work.
• 
• The flowers on the headland are quite susceptible to damage from people stepping off the boardwalk.
• The grass on the headland is a special kind of coastal grass. (Kieran made a comment about this being rare. Ant)
• 
• The boardwalk itself was once covered in green paint and needs to be redone to prevent corrosion of some of the major bolts holding the structure together. If it fails or degrades to the point of being unusable that would be a major loss of amenity to the local and tourist users.
• 
• There was considerable debate re the crest of Norries headland. On stepping off the last of the boardwalk, erosion and level changes are becoming severe. The natural rock becoming more exposed is a tripping hazard. 
• 
• Should our group play a role in trying to draw attention to these issues? Have we the confidence that council will provide ongoing monitoring and maintenance of these points of issue. Keiran suggested this viewing platform if properly constructed from local stone and comprising a couple of terraced levels suitable for seating, may define a small area for crowd control and reduce (not eliminate) the impact of the meandering spread of damage over the top of the headland. 

Caba Heath Disabled Access Enviro Education Loop

View BIRT - Caba Health Possible Disabled Walk in a larger map

Village Precinct - Northern Perimeter Trail

BIRT- Village Northern Perimeter Trail
            Grade 2 difficulty but no directional signs.
           1.2 km (one way) 25 minutes or
           allow 50 minutes for the return walk
           so that you can read the interpretive signage
           alongside the car park at the lake.

View BIRT - Village Northern Perimeter Trail in a larger map
 

The trail commences without fanfare at this "Road Narrows" sign at the northern edge of the village

The trail down the slope is barred by a steel pipe barrier. This is obviously designed to deny access to motor bikes and vehicles but allow recreational walkers to enter.

Close to the Tweed Coast Road the residents keep the buffer zone in neatly trimmed condition

While residents are happy to do the work National Parks and Wildlife are rigorous in ensuring that no dogs are allowed to walk this trail. A $300 fine is a fair deterrent.

Fire damage from 2009 fires is still evident but the biodiversity of this region ensures quick recovery

 

 

The grasses make a quick recovery

Work on the drainage in this area is almost finished. (July 2012) Pipes have been laid under this area and grass should be regrowing quite soon. This clump of trees will often reveal a koala and credit to NPWS for ensuring these trees were not felled.

The newly laid pipes are directing the water from the Tamarind Avenue area into the Cudgen Nature Reserve

Some pinus species have grown in this region probably regenerated by seed dispersed by birds. The grass understory is home to an amazing variety of finches

The grassed area adjacent to the Lakeside Apartments is private property so I veered slightly north westerly toward Cudgen Lake.

This trail should be discussed with NPWS. There are some bollards ensuring walkers do not continue toward Camp Wolumbin so I went to the edge of the lake and then around the southern shore.

 

 

A joy to spend some time with this serenity

 

 

A view includes Woolumbin on the clear days

Lake views

The purple swamp hen

 

A very wary spoonbill (2 seconds later it was airborne)

 

The carpark at the end of the Trail has some interpretive signage and its worth going a few extra metres to view the connection from the lake to the Friday Island canal. A wonderful kayaking area.