appendix c december 2011€¦ · - shfa, nsw maritime, nsw tourism, bridge security, sydney...

Appendix C Sydney Harbour Bridge waterproofing and resurfacing communications plan

Community and Communications Strategy Sydney Harbour Bridge Deck Waterproofing Strategy

G:\ENVIRNMNT\Planning and Assessment\_Projects\1112\SHB resurfacing\REF\Appendicies\Appendix C_SHB Communications Plan.doc

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Bridge Approaches

Sydney Harbour Bridge Waterproofing and resurfacing January 2012 Communications plan

7 December 2011

Version 3

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1. Project overview The Sydney Harbour Bridge road waterproofing and resurfacing project is necessary to maintain the integrity of the bridge and is especially important on the southern and northern approaches to the bridge, which are in need of repair. It has been more than 20 years since the last major resurfacing of the bridge. It is necessary to waterproof the deck to minimise the need for piecemeal intermittent repairs. It will be the first time in the bridge’s 80 year history that Roads and Maritime Services has gone back to the original concrete deck to undertake this maintenance work. This $3 million project is fully funded by the NSW Government. A new epoxy waterproofing material has been trialled on Anzac Parade and on a section of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in May 2011. It will be applied on the bridge approaches, in part by hand, to maximise the level of waterproofing. The work on lanes 1 to 6 of the bridge (the main deck) and approach spans (north and south) will be staged. Partial lane closures will result in minimal disruption to public transport but will affect the majority of vehicle lanes. Consequently, a ‘public transport and emergency vehicle only’ message will be promoted regarding access to the bridge. Additional public transport services will be provided to cater for the increased demand. The communication strategy will focus on the need for motorists to avoid the bridge. Information on public transport, and alternate routes will also be provided.



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2. Dates of work

In August 2011, in consultation with TMC, RMS recommended the January weekends in 2012 as the traffic management scenario that best meets the project objectives. It is envisaged that the summer holiday period of January will cause the least disruption to traffic and be most conducive to fast drying times. The three weekends in January are January 13-16, January 20-23 and January 27-30. This is inclusive of a wet weather contingency weekend. Communications material will note that weekend 1 and 2 are required and weekend 3 is a wet weather backup. No major track possessions are planned on the North Shore and City Circle lines during January and February. As the Sydney Festival runs during January, a ‘public transport only’ message would dovetail with Festival communication messages. As matches will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Sydney Football Stadium on each of the weekends, the communication program would also need to target match-goers.

Timetable of public events Date Event Location

Saturday 14 January 2012

Summer Sounds Concert

Domain


Symphony in the Domain

Domain


Twenty20 Semi Final

Sydney Cricket Ground

Sunday 22 January 2012

Sydney FC v Gold Coast United

Sydney Football Stadium

Sunday 22 January 2012

Twenty20 Semi Final



Opera in the Domain

Domain


Twenty20 Final



Summer Gay Day

Kippax Lane, Moore Park

Sunday 29 January 2012 Chinese New Year Parade Sydney CBD

February also has a large number of public events.



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3. Hours of work

The work is expected to take two weekends over the days from Friday night to Monday morning to complete, weather permitting. A third weekend has been allocated as a contingency for wet weather. The proposed work hours are Friday 10pm to Monday 5am.

4. Wet weather It is critical that the team has 12 hours of dry weather once they start the waterproofing. Should prolonged wet weather be predicted then the waterproofing activity will not be commenced. The chances therefore of work being postponed to the third weekend in January are high. An additional weekend may be required as a further contingency.

5. Traffic and pedestrian management

Traffic control plans are proposed to be similar to the 75th Anniversary of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Special event clearways and signposting will be deployed: to maximise access to the bridge for construction vehicles and for buses. to assist traffic flow for motorists utilising alternate routes.

The TMC will coordinate the movement of buses, tow trucks, construction vehicles and machinery.

Further community information will support traffic management objectives to minimise the impacts on the community. The Sydney Harbour Tunnel does not have capacity for bridge traffic. Therefore the overwhelming message will be for drivers to not use the Tunnel and either detour widely or use public transport. Pedestrian management plans are required for spectators, cyclists, pedestrians, media. Work on the M2 and potentially the M5 will also need to be considered in the communications strategy.

6. Communication principles Early engagement (to take account for holiday period)

Comprehensive coverage to maximise awareness.

The TMC and RMS to collaborate on communication program, tools and timing.



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7. Potentially contentious issues Potential contentious issues in relation to the Sydney Harbour Bridge resurfacing project include:

Visual identity of the bridge – perception of possible impacts.

Lane/road closures and detours and delays to drivers.

Traffic delays on alternative routes: Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Gladesville Bridge, Victoria Road or Ryde

Bridge.

Postponement due to adverse weather.

Noise at night during construction for nearby hotels and residents. A number of nearby residents

could be affected by the noise of this work, especially the surface milling (to remove the top layer of

concrete/asphalt). Early information on this night work for nearby residents is essential.

Fumes from the waterproofing application affecting pedestrians and residents.

Special events in the Sydney CBD and possible access impacts.

Closures/delays on the alternate routes:

Impact to public transport – use of the bridge by buses.

Possible work damage to bridge structures.

Impact to businesses, including those adjacent to temporary Special Event clearways.

8. Benefits of the work

Reduced need for reactive bridge maintenance.

Improved road quality by providing a smoother, more durable road surface.

Reduced road noise as the new surface will be smoother and quieter than the current one.

Reduced risk of corrosion and structural damage from water seepage through the deck.

The bridge is being rejuvenated in time for its 80th birthday on 19 March 2012.



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9. Strategy for communication

To ensure community and stakeholder information needs are addressed, a comprehensive information-based campaign will take place. Communications include:

- media and marketing to manage motorists’ awareness and behaviour. RMS’s media plan will include TV, radio, print.

- driver communications will include VMS.

- stakeholder and community communications to manage trip and activity planning and potential impacts.

There will be no significant changes to the visual identity of the bridge. The key effort is to acknowledge the disruption to motorists, commuters and visitors to Sydney and help everyone plan for this.

The waterproofing and resurfacing of the bridge is part of a package of works for the Sydney Harbour Bridge precinct - initiatives designed to look after, improve and adapt the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the needs of a modern city, while preserving the beauty and character of the structure and its setting.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge will be 80 years old on 19 March 2012, and the bridge works must support that.

Consultation with internal stakeholders includes: SHFA, RMS Fleet and Bridge Services, Tolling, Critical Infrastructure and Tow Trucks.

Consultation with stakeholders will include:

- elected members, - local government, - emergency services, - RailCorp, - Harbour Tunnel Operator, Eastern Distributor Operator, M2 operator - Sydney Buses/other bus companies, taxi companies and associations - freight groups - motorists - nearby residents, - businesses, hotels, Bridgeclimb, tour operators - educational facilities / schools - care facilities – hospitals, child, aged, community, disabled - cultural groups – ethnic / indigenous - recreation groups – sporting clubs, leisure - SHFA, NSW Maritime, NSW Tourism, Bridge security, Sydney Ferries, water taxis.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge precinct stakeholder roundtable that formed in 2011 will include this project as a priority discussion.

Other important groups include:

Alternate corridors - groups and businesses on these corridors. Businesses potentially affected by temporary ‘no stopping’ provisions.



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A brief description of communications tools includes:

Media release and briefing – well before the Christmas break and festivities.

Local stakeholder information – correspondence. Some stakeholders such as the Sydney Business Chamber will require detailed briefings. Potential impacts to city trading may result from reduced access.

Resident notifications - notification postcard and reminder postcard to be delivered by letterbox drop. Affected residents to receive the first postcard 8 weeks prior and the second postcard 2 weeks prior. Maps for the delivery areas for each drop are attached. In addition, a more detailed letter about noise and potential odour will be devised for residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity of the bridge in the lead up to the work. This will be delivered by RMS staff.

Emergency services, hospitals etc – early notification.

Hotels, tourist operations and business groups - notification letter at least 8 weeks prior, a postcard 5 weeks prior and reminder postcard 2 weeks prior. Operators in Sydney CBD, The Rocks, Millers Point, Dawes Point, Milsons Point and Kirribilli will also receive a reminder postcard 1 week prior. We will search for contacts through working with the airport and airlines; Sydney sports grounds; NRMA, Sydney Business Chamber etc

Likely newspaper advertising – suburban (Mosman Daily, North Shore Times, Hornsby & Upper North Shore Advocate, Mosman Daily, the Manly Daily, the Central, City Hub, Wentworth Courier, Inner Western Suburbs Courier, Inner West Weekly, Northern District Times, Village Voice) and metropolitan print media (Sydney Morning Herald and Daily Telegraph). Other regional newspapers TBC.

TV and radio advertising – strategy to be confirmed by RMS Marketing.

Cross event marketing – to be confirmed by RMS Marketing

Web information – including Transport Infoline, City of Sydney, Events NSW, Sydney.com, RMS Home page, Live Traffic NSW, RMS (Sydney Harbour Bridge web page), Sydney Motorways

VMS and static detour signs - Specific plan to be prepared and executed by TMC.

An animation of the proposed activity, similar to current Anzac Bridge work animation, will help with TV. Will also be used on the web.

On site signage – for cyclists, pedestrians and users of the areas under the deck where areas will be fenced off in case of falling debris.

10. Key messages

For up to three weekends in January, the bridge will be closed to all general motorists, so leave the car at home, catch a train or avoid approaching the bridge by taking alternative routes.

The bridge will be 80 years old on 19 March 2012 so we need to get it ready by undertaking essential maintenance work.

13-16 January, 20-23 January and 27-30 January the bridge will be closed to general traffic from 10pm Friday until 5am Monday.

Buses and trains will operate as usual, with additional services.

January has been chosen as the best time to close the bridge due to lower traffic volumes and faster drying times for the waterproofing membrane.



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Weekend closure is essential as partial night time closure would stretch the work out for many weeks and compromise the waterproofing process.

For the first time in 80 years RMS will go back to the original deck and waterproof and resurface the bridge. This is a big event, we are bringing in equipment from interstate.

This work will create a smoother, quieter and more durable road surface, reduce the risk of corrosion and reduce the need for reactive maintenance.

Visitors to Sydney Festival events in the Domain and match-goers to Sydney Football Stadium and Sydney Cricket Ground should use public transport, and expect delays.

The bridge will remain open to pedestrians on the eastern side and cyclists on the western side. If you are walking or cycling across the bridge on these weekends you may notice an odour from the waterproofing material.

Clearways will be in place on major arterial roads across Sydney to help manage traffic flow. The clearways extend from Gordon in the north, Beverly Hills in the south and Mosman in the east. If you need to cross the harbour by car, the alternative routes are King Georges Road, Ryde Bridge and Land Cove Road; and Victoria Road, Gladesville Bridge and Centennial Avenue.

RMS appreciates your understanding and apologises for any inconvenience this work may cause.

Avoid the Harbour Bridge on these weekends in January.

Plan ahead and expect delays if you’re using the car on these weekends in January.



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Indicative communications program

Milestone Comms product Communication activity Key messages Date Project agreed

Briefing note Meetings with key Government stakeholders. Align RTA goals with other agencies’. Identify ways to promote awareness.

September 2011

Agreement on work

Letter Reminder flyer*

* Poster etc TBC

Letter and meetings with affected hotels and tourist operations.

Describing the work to be carried out and when. Details of detours. Measures to minimise potentially contentious issues.

Nov 2011 Reminder flyer 12 Dec 2011

Announcement of work

Media release Website info

Q&A

Media event to forecast work, benefits. Describing the work to be carried out and when. Highlighting 80 years old next year and benefits.

TBC Media Unit

Letter

Letter to stakeholder groups announcing waterproofing and resurfacing works.

Describing the work to be carried out and when. Details of alternative routes

14 November 2011

Letter Postcard

Doorknocks and info 6000 to directly affected residents and businesses.

Describing the work to be carried out and how these works will affect them, detours. Measures to minimise potentially contentious issues.

14 Nov 2011 Reminder card 9 January 2012

DL flyer Postcard

Notification for 30,000 residents and businesses on clearways from Gordon to Mosman

Describing works, clearways and closures. 14 November 2011

DL flyer Postcard

Visit by RMS staff to16 worse affected clearway areas for business

Explaining closures, clearways and apologising for inconvenience.

17-18 November

Other websites Notification of work posted on Sydney city, tourism, and relevant traffic websites.

Describing the work to be carried out and when. Details of detours.

Early Dec 2011

Postcard Postcard to 120,000 residents and businesses in inner city/north Sydney.

Describing the work to be carried out and when.

21 November 2011

Advertisements

Media release

Ads to be placed in the following newspapers: Sydney Morning Herald + Daily Telegraph Mosman Daily, North Shore Times, Hornsby & Upper North Shore Advocate, the Central, City Hub, Wentworth Courier, Inner Western Suburbs Courier, Inner West Weekly, Northern District Times, Village Voice.

Describing the work to be carried out and when. Details of detours. Details of event clearways

TBC Marketing Unit

Print, radio ads Electronic media promotion Describing the work to be carried out and when. Detours.

TBC Marketing Unit

Sign on bridge walkway

Inform bridge pedestrians and cyclists. Describing the work to be carried out and when. Note potential odour and noise.

December 2011



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Letter Letter and doorknock most affected residents and businesses in lead up to work.

Information on noise impacts and possible odour impacts, with RMS contact for reporting any issues.

Work about to commence

VMS Electronic information and directional signage. Information on closures and alternative routes December 2011 TMC to confirm

Reminder postcards 36,000 distributed to directly affected and those on clearways to remind them of closures.

Describing works to be carried out and when. Monday 9 January 2012

Works under way

Advertisements

Media information

Ads to be placed in the following newspapers: Sydney Morning Herald + Daily Telegraph, Mosman Daily, North Shore Times, Hornsby & Upper North Shore Advocate, the Central, City Hub, Wentworth Courier, Inner Western Suburbs Courier, Inner West Weekly, Northern District Times, Village Voice. Regionals TBC.

Describing the work to be carried out and when. Details of detours if necessary.

TBC Media Unit TBC Marketing Unit

Web streaming Vision of work on RMS website .Showing work TBC



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Attachment A Example of map of alternative routes



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Attachment B Example of map of alternate route: Northern Suburbs to Southern Suburbs.



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Attachment C Map of distribution zone of directly affected residents and businesses (south)



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Attachment D Map of distribution zone of directly affected residents and businesses (north)



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Attachment E Web page – Sydney Harbour Bridge Precinct

appendix c december 2011€¦ · - shfa, nsw maritime, nsw tourism, bridge security, sydney...

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