IT IS the image of a tumbling body on new signs at the Macquarie River weir in South Dubbo that mostly speaks to the city’s mayor Mathew Dickerson of underwater danger.
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The written message on the signs, “Weirs Kill”, may be “in-your-face” but the picture is better because it shows what happens below peaceful-looking water, he says.
This week the council has set about determining if the warning signs are being heeded by people fishing, swimming and boating at or near the weir, where two teenagers have died in the past four years.
It is specifically targeting “young people” in a survey that will operate on the ground and through the Dubbo Youth Facebook page and www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au.
Joshua MacFarlane, 15, drowned at the weir in 2008, with his inquest leading the council to erect signs and barriers.
After the death of James Kennedy, 19, in October 2011, Cr Dickerson reported the council would again wait on the direction of authorities.
Community unrest preceded the council’s subsequent decision to act sooner rather than later.
New infrastructure has been put in place and Public Works NSW asked to study a proposal to place large objects at the downstream face of the weir, in an effort to de-energise the water flowing over it.
Council staff have talked of trying to replace a sheer drop with a cascade, and the energy of water dissipating as it “swirls around rocks”.
Yesterday the mayor reported that Public Works NSW was yet to get back to the council.
In the interim, the council wanted confirmation or otherwise the signs were having the desired effect.
“The signs were designed to influence behaviour and council is now attempting to gauge whether the message is resonating with the public, and young people in particular,” Cr Dickerson said.
“We hope the signs challenge people to stop and think before fishing, swimming or boating at or near the weir.”
The mayor said council did not know of any practical ways to stop people approaching the weir from within the river downstream and upstream, or from riverbanks immediately abutting it.
But it had introduced a number of safety measures, such as the new signs, steel fan barriers, and a canoe portage around the weir, he said.
Cr Dickerson reports of a mixed reaction to the new signs, some people suggesting to him that they are “too-in-your-face”.
He was unaware of any rescues taking place at the weir in the past four months.
