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Monday, August 19, 2013

Australian Walking Track Grading System

Mike has shared with me a great resource on track grading.
Here is a small excerpt and a link to the original page.

It has an excel spreadsheet that grades trails and tells you how to promote them.
Example photo below.


Background to the Australian Walking Track Grading System
The Australian Walking Track Grading System is a technique for uniformly grading walking tracks and communicating that grade to the walking public. 

The aim of the Australian Walking Track Grading System is to encourage people who are not regular or confident bushwalkers to get out there and give it a go. It is specifically designed to reassure entry level walkers, particularly the disabled or people walking with children, that a particular track is suitable for their skill level.

Under the new system, walking trails are graded on a difficulty scale from grades one to five.

  • Grade One is suitable for the disabled with assistance
  • Grade Two is suitable for families with young children
  • Grade Three is recommended for people with some bushwalking experience
  • Grade Four is recommended for experienced bushwalkers, and
  • Grade Five is recommended for very experienced bushwalkers

Friday, August 2, 2013

Whale Watching Platform Design

We have an opportunity to put our final design concept directly to the TSC Construction Planning team at a site meeting. Interested parties are welcome.

Appointment on Norries Headland
 
It was resolved at our last meeting to prepare a written brief as an adjunct to Dan Plummer's Concept plan.
The NSW Govt grant matched by TSC work and project management means about two thirds of the plan may be affordable.
 
Our brief is couched in generic terms so that management of labour coordination, materials handling and protection of the environment is left to those best able ensure the best outcome.
 
1 AMENITY Build a low level terrace / deck of minimal visual impact. No hand rails.
 
2 SAFETY Minimize trip hazards and height of deck. Visitors will include small children and elderly.
 
3 SUSTAINABLE Balance of amenity, cost, durability,
future maintenance.
 
4 FUNCTION Anticipate the movement of people at this lookout. eg lead additional visitors around (behind) those already seated. Best views are to the east and south so try to pitch seating to different quadrants of this panorama. Provide comfortable seats. Anticipate that some visitors will want to venture further than the platform.
Interpretive signage may inform visitors of Whale Migration also of Major Landmarks-Cape Byron, Hastings Point, Woolumbin - Mt Warning, Kingscliff 
 
5 RESPECT  and ensure the beauty of this point,its natural wild exposed ruggedness is not spoilt.