New signs to enhance community disaster preparedness
Published on 29 January 2024
Seven new digital variable message signs have been installed across the Singleton local government area to provide timely and consistent messaging aimed at reducing the risk of disasters and enhancing emergency preparedness across town and outlying villages.
The signs, which have been installed in strategic locations including the villages of Broke, Jerrys Plains, Elderslie and Glenridding in addition to Townhead Park, the SES headquarters and Blaxland Avenue in Singleton, aim to mitigate the risks associated with floods, bushfires, storms, heatwaves, and other hazardous events.
The $295,350 project was 100 per cent funded by the NSW Government’s Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF).
Justin Fitzpatrick-Barr, Council’s Director Infrastructure and Planning Services said the new variable message boards improved communication with the travelling public, enhancing safety and promoting greater situational awareness about the hazards affecting the Singleton local government area.
The structures include a solar-powered sign strip, which will operate during an event even if mains power fails.
“Investing in ways that reduce the severity and impact of disasters is a high priority,” Mr Fitzpatrick-Barr said.
“Over the past three years, the Singleton LGA has copped disaster after disaster which has had significant impacts on our community.
“While we continue to support recovery efforts, it’s equally important that we continue to invest in risk reduction to help lower potential impacts and improve our response to future disasters.
“This project is all about giving local residents timely and accurate information so our community can make informed decisions before, during, and after disasters and severe weather events.
“These signs provide real time information controlled remotely at the click of the button, ensuring signs can be instantly updated, reaching a wide audience of approximately 40,000 motorists each day in just seconds.
“Severe weather events are happening with increasing frequency, and these new electronic signs installed in strategic locations across the LGA will give motorists the most up-to-date information — not only during a disaster event, but when preparing for a future disaster event.”