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Bibbulmun Track marking - the 'Waugal' is saved!
(See last posts for latest update)
If you were out on the Bibbulmun Track during spring, you may have come across some new marker posts – did you notice them? What did you think?
(If you haven't seen them, the photos below show one existing and one new marker - there are more photos on the Bibbulmun Track Foundation's website along with a link to a quick survey).
DEC wishes to standardise its trail signage across the State and is seeking your feedback.
Two adjacent sections in the Perth Hills have been marked to enable a comparison:
• Piesse Brook to Fern Rd (2.9km) in red metal ezi-drive posts
• Fern Rd to Asher Rd (2.5km) in grey metal ezi-drive posts
Other sections include:
• The new Mumballup realignment with red posts (and some wooden posts, as the new metal posts arrived late).
• Walpole District is trialing the red and grey posts in a coastal section near the Mandalay lookout.
The standard markers on these posts are square, so the Waugal Trail Marker is now a yellow triangle on a square metal reflective background.
Please take 5 minutes (max!) to let us know what you think - your opinion is important to us. The survey link is from the Home Page at www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by knoddie on -
Camouflaged posts are not a good idea. The grey posts are only marginally more visible than the natural steel coloured ones on the Kep track. Munda Biddi yellow is great. The Bibbulmun red is good. Vote red!
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Permalink Reply by Mark McLauchlin on -
My personal opinion is that I would like them to remain as is. I think the yellow Waugals are a piece of history with the track. Walking the Bib and seeing metal poles would not do much for me I am afraid.
Cheers
Mark
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Permalink Reply by The Bibbulmun Track Foundation on -
Thank you to everyone who responded to the survey regarding trail marking on the Bibb Track. Over 550 responses have been received to date.
The vast majority of respondents (89%) oppose the change from triangular tree markers to metal ezi-drive posts. Of the 11% who are in favour, it is generally only when an existing tree marker requires replacing and no other viable option is available.
Results to Q.2 I think Bibbulmun Track marking should:
28% Remain as it is (Waugal markers on trees and use of wooden posts where needed)
14% Leave existing markers on trees and posts as they are and replace with metal posts as and when required
48% Leave existing markers on trees and replace when necessary with triangle Waugal markers on trees. Use metal posts at campsites and/or where there are no trees.
4.5% Remove all markers from all trees and wooden posts and replace them all with metal posts
The remaining 4.5% made other suggestions.
Overwhelmingly, people prefer the red posts to the grey - around half because they find the red posts are easier to see, and around half because the colour is already associated with the Track.
Almost 300 people also wrote comments. The following comment is a good reflection of the feedback received ...
"I think it is a disastrous idea to replace wooden posts and markers on trees with something so environmentally unfriendly (both visually and in terms of the embedded energy and emissions produced to make the posts). We love it the way it is. The red wooden posts are simple and reflect not only the colours of the Bibbulmun Track but they are not industrial like the posts are - it is a bush track not a road way. They will give the track a very different feel and metal posts will diminish the quality of the experience of the walker. They will give a very harsh feel to the trail - especially the grey posts!
Red wooden posts and markers on trees are great and I look forward to seeing them each time I turn a corner or arrive at an intersection. Our friends call them bus stops and we know we are safe and on track when we see that red colour post form a distance. The red wooden posts and the triangle metal waugals ARE the Bibbulmun Track.
Also as a maintenance volunteer I feel massively disempowered with not being able to nail up a small unobtrusive but very significant trail marker. I feel very special having that privilege and now it looks like I will just be a gardener doing the occasional pruning of overgrowth and sweeping of the shelter. I can stay home and do that. What's the point? Please, please - don't do this."
We are passing this feedback on to DEC and sincerely hope that the strong feelings expressed by walkers, Foundation members and volunteers will be heard.
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Permalink Reply by Mark McLauchlin on
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Well said :) So what happens now?
I take it DEC review the survey results and make a decision based on their findings?
Are we aware of other sources that will have an impact?
Cheers
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Permalink Reply by The Bibbulmun Track Foundation on
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We are VERY pleased to announce that, following on from the overwhelming feedback received from Bibb Track walkers, members and volunteers, DEC has reconsidered its proposed new guidelines for marking the Bibbulmun Track and that marking for this particular trail will be based on the following principles -
1. The predominate trail marking of the Bibbulmun Track will continue to be the triangular 'waugal' markers as currently used,
2. The square post markers may only be used –
- In a recreation sites where the new thematic sign system has been developed and implemented (e.g. the Walpole Wilderness Area) or
- there is a dual alignment with another trail that is marked with posts.
Given these basic principles, it is expected that more than 97% of the trail’s total distance will continue to use the existing triangular trail markers, and less than 3% will use the square post markers.
Thank you to everyone who responded to the survey - it is great to know that so many people feel so passionately about the Track!
The BTF Team
Mark McLauchlin said:Well said :) So what happens now?
I take it DEC review the survey results and make a decision based on their findings?
Are we aware of other sources that will have an impact?
Cheers
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Permalink Reply by Mark McLauchlin on
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Great news, thanks all
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