The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) is installing a safety barrier on Long Gully Bridge, Northbridge.
The proposal for the safety barrier - straight or curved palisades sitting above the balustrade - is on display until Wednesday 14 October 2009. The Government Architect’s Office has already done a lot of work to consider the options for the safety barrier and the RTA believes this is the best option.
We ask for your opinion on whether the fence should be straight or curved.
The NSW Government Architect’s Office has reviewed local and international examples and prepared a detailed options report considering a wide range of design alternatives. A full copy of the report is available below.
This elegant design is similar to fences around the Royal Botanic Gardens and at other historic sites in Australia. It provides a 2 metre barrier above the existing wall. A curved fence provides a softer appearance when viewed from the roadway and afar. This option has been carefully designed to minimise visual impacts from the bridge and from the aspect of surrounding residents.
Given the amount of research conducted by the NSW Government’s Architects Office and the urgent need to complete installation, the RTA will not be holding a design competition.
This $1.5 million project is fully funded by the NSW Government.
Background to project
Long Gully Bridge is located on the southern edge of Northbridge, linking Willoughby and North Sydney local government areas. It spans a gully containing Flat Rock Creek which runs into Long Bay in Middle Harbour.
The NSW Coroner recommended a safety barrier be installed on Long Gully Bridge following the death of a man in 2007. Police records provided to the Coroner show they have attended the bridge for six completed suicides, four attempted suicides and four base jumps since 1995. This data doesn’t take account of unrecorded or unreported events.
What has happened so far?
In June 2008, the Government Architect’s Office was engaged to identify and assess options for a safety barrier.
A wide range of options were assessed against the following critical issues:
- Impediment to suicide attempts.
- Heritage impact.
- Visual and urban design impacts.
- Buildability and maintenance issues.
Since May 2009, the RTA has employed security guards to patrol the bridge to prevent suicide attempts.
Another recent incident on the bridge demonstrates that even with security patrols, the RTA has not been successful in eliminating the risk of suicide attempts from the bridge. The need for fencing is now considered to be urgent.
According to Suicide Prevention Australia, restricting means of suicide is highly effective, frequently deterring suicides by that method, but also overall suicide rates.
The organisation recognises a safety barrier on Long Gully Bridge will be a major positive contribution to suicide prevention in the local area.
The RTA presented the options to stakeholders in June and July 2009 and has consulted heritage experts including the National Trust, those represented on the RTA Heritage Committee and NSW Department of Planning, Heritage Branch.
Display of proposal
The plans are on display until Wednesday 14 October 2009 and can be viewed here, and also at:
- RTA Motor Registry - 313 Victoria Avenue Chatswood
Monday-Friday 8.30am - 5pm, Saturday 8.30am - 12noon. - RTA Motor Registry - 154 Pacific Highway North Sydney
Monday-Friday 8.30am - 5pm, Saturday 8.30am - 12noon. - RTA Motor Registry - 19 York Street Sydney
Monday-Friday 8.30am - 5pm.
What happens next?
The display continues until Wednesday 14 October 2009. The RTA will consider comments received by this date before a final design is selected. Detailed design will be completed with construction of the new fencing scheduled to commence in December 2009, with expected completion in early 2010, weather permitting.
Further information
If you would like further information about the project, or to provide your opinion on the fence, you can:
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