Council unveils more locality signs across Shire
Berrima, Sutton Forest, Welby and Colo Vale will soon have new locality signs erected welcoming residents and guests to their respective communities.
The signs are the latest in a collection which Wingecarribee Shire Council began installing in 2016.
However the new signs serve as more than decorative features at locality entry points.
Deputy General Manager of Operations, Finance and Risk, Mr Barry Paull said the new signs served a number of purposes.
“First and foremost we thought it important that the borders of the Shire’s localities were properly defined,” he said.
“In large semi-rural areas like our Shire it’s critical to have accurate locality information when reporting accidents or when emergency services are dispatched.”
“Some of our Shire’s roads stretch across three or more different localities,” Mr Paull said. “Wombeyan Caves Road is a perfect example of this and accurately reporting the location of an incident may prove the difference between life and death.”
“Another benefit is that it will help residents and visitors navigate their way around our Shire.”
“At the same time this project allows us to recognise that our Shire has a rich Aboriginal culture dating back thousands of years.”
Following consultation with the Shire’s Aboriginal Elders, signs will feature the wording, “Traditional land of the Gundungurra People”.
Other localities in the process of having new signs erected include Woodlands, Mittagong and Welby with further locations to be included throughout the year.
“On completion 75 back-to-back signs will be erected at gateway entrances to our Shire’s 53 localities,” Mr Paull added.
Existing town and village entry signs located on the perimeters of towns and villages will remain under the locality signage project. The new locality signs will be positioned on the gazetted borders which in many cases are located several kilometres away from the town or village itself.
“We understand that many of our Shire’s towns and villages have their own unique identity and this project is in no way intended to replace these existing signs or monuments,” Mr Paull added. “They are meant to supplement and improve existing signage and at the same time celebrate our Aboriginal heritage.”