Background

In 2008 the NSW Coroner recommended that a safety fence be installed on Long Gully Bridge, Northbridge to improve public safety on the and under the bridge.

Roads and Maritime Services commenced installation of the safety fence in February 2010 and completed installation in August 2010.

This $1.5 million project was fully funded by the NSW Government.

How was the design chosen?

In June 2008, the Government Architect's Office heritage unit was engaged to identify and assess options for a safety fence. A wide range of options were assessed against the following critical issues:

Community consultation

In late 2008, Roads and Maritime Services held initial discussions with key stakeholders about the installation of a safety fence on Long Gully Bridge. These discussions were held with the Councils, a range of heritage stakeholders and other key stakeholders.

In mid 2009, Roads and Maritime Services wrote to residents, stakeholders, emergency services and nearby schools about the introduction of security patrols on Long Gully Bridge and their intention to install a safety fence on Long Gully Bridge.

Stakeholder meetings were held at both Willoughby and North Sydney Councils in June and July 2009. These meetings involved discussion of options, identification of Roads and Maritime Services preliminary preferred option and collection of feedback.

In September 2009, Roads and Maritime Services placed the preferred option on public display and called for community feedback on the curved and straight palisade options. Community feedback was collected and considered and a final preferred option was identified, the curved palisade safety fence.

In December 2009, Roads and Maritime Services held a community information evening about this project. The meeting discussed Roads and Maritime Services process to consider options for a safety fence and the preferred option.

In February 2010, Roads and Maritime Services displayed a sample section of the safety fence at Northbridge Oval car park, Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge where members of the project team were available to discuss installation of the safety fence.

Review of environmental factors

The review of environmental factors describes and assesses the potential impacts of the proposal and is available to view or download on the project documents page.