New Inclusion in External Environments · 2019. 8. 21. · Project Overview • Part of a “Grand...

Inclusion in External Environments

Walka Water Works

Project Overview

The project was in two parts:

Part 1 | Equitable Access Strategy for Walka Water Works

Part 2 | Walka Miniature Railway

Project Overview

• Part of a “Grand Ambitions” project that sees implementation of the 2014 Walka Water Works Interpretation Management Plan.

• This project will see activation works on the theme of “People in the Landscape”. • The works will provide interpretive experiences mapped to high

priority accessible locations.

Methodology

• No access legislation specific to external environments.

• The principles of the BCA Class 9b for public buildings adopted in the to ensure equitable access for people with disabilities as far as possible.

• Inclusive access is now an expectation within public outdoor areas. The highest level of accessibility achievable should be incorporated within the constraints of the natural environment.

The Walka Water Works

Walka Water Works is a nineteenth-century pumping station constructed in 1887 to provide a safe water supply to Newcastle and the Lower Hunter Valley.

Water was pumped from the Hunter River to a reservoir (now Walka Lake) via a brick tunnel.

The Walka Water WorksWalka Water Works is a popular picnic and recreation area in the Maitland district.

• over 140 species of birdlife

• over 12km of walking / cycling trails surround the lake.

• picnic and barbeque facilities

• children’s playground area

• miniature railway


• Weddings and functions;

• Park run meets each weekend;

• School excursions / education programmes.

Equitable Access Strategy

The aim of the equitable access strategy was to determine the degree and quality of accessibility to a range of external locations at the Walka Water Works to inform consultation on a heritage interpretation project.

External areas included extensive natural gardens and picnic areas that border the lake, the surrounding bushland and also the walking trails provided throughout the site .


• The access audit identified twelve (12) major destinations on the site to be considered within the Walka Water Works “People in the Landscape” project.

• The accessibility of each of these locations was established in conjunction with the accessibility of the links between each destination.

• A range of disabilities was considered.


• Destination 1 – Pump House Building Forecourt

• Destination 2 - Carparking

• Destination 3 – Public Toilets

• Destination 4 – Children’s Playground and Picnic Area

• Destination 5 – Walka Train Station

• Destination 6 – Birdwatch Sign 1

• Destination 7 – Snake Gully Junction

• Destination 8 – Viewing Platform and Seating

• Destination 9 – Birdwatch Sign 2 and Memorial Seating

• Destination 10 – Yacht Launching Pontoon

• Destination 11 – Upper Picnic Area

• Destination 12 – Reserve HQ


Observations:

A grassed area is provided on the eastern side of the Pump House Building. Picnic table seating and a barbeque shelter are provided. To gain access to these facilities, the path of travel is across grass which is not traversable by many people using a wheelchair or mobility aid.

Recommendations:

• Provide a formed accessible path of travel to the barbeque shelter and picnic tables to enable equitable access for people using a mobility aid.

• Provide a wheelchair seating space at the picnic table.

Destination 1 | Pump House Building Forecourt


Observations:

An informal carparking area is provided in the vicinity of the Pump House Building at the entrance to the site. The surface of the carparking area is compacted gravel and considered traversable by people using mobility aids. There is no formalised carparking spaces / linemarking.

Recommendations:

• Allocate an area for accessible carparking. This would be best suited in close proximity to the path of travel to the toilet block and picnic area, providing direct access to essential facilities.

Destination 2 | Carparking


Observations:

The pathway to the toilets is considered accessible being of adequate grade and width for compliance. The bollard provided within the footpath area reduces the clear width of the accessible path of travel, prohibiting wheelchair access.

Recommendations:

• Remove the existing bollard to ensure the footpath achieves a minimum with of 1000mm.

Destination 3 | Public Toilet Facilities


Observations:

The picnic area and children’s playground have level access form the carparking area. Picnic table seating and barbeque shelters are provided. To gain access to these facilities, the path of travel is across grass which is not traversable by many people using a wheelchair or mobility aid.

Recommendations:

• Provide a formed accessible path of travel to the children’s playground, at least one barbeque shelter and one picnic table to enable equitable access for people using a mobility aid.

• Provide a wheelchair seating space at picnic tables.

Destination 4 | Children’s Playground


Observations:

Level access from the carparking / roadway is available to the Walka Train Station.

The boarding gate entrance has restricted access in terms of accessibility and trains are not accessible.

Recommendations:

• Provide information boards or similar to enable people unable to use the trains share the experience. Photographs of significant sites or transcript of any commentary is suggested. It would be optimum for information to be provide in both visual and audio formats to enable participation by people with vision or hearing impairment.

Destination 5 | Walka Train Station


Observations:

There is currently limited access to this area due to the undulating topography. It may be possible to provide a formed path of travel to the area for wheelchair access from the eastern end of the area.

Recommendations:

• Provide a formed accessible path of travel to the Birdwatch Sign to enable access for people with limited mobility.

Destination 6 | Birdwatch Sign 1


Observations:

Snake Gully Junction is a place of interest along The Lake Trail. Currently there is equitable access as for all users of the trail – no public access is available to the buildings.

Recommendations:

As a best practice measure, consider providing seating in this location to cater to people with an ambulant disability or those who may fatigue easily.

Destination 7 | Snake Gully Junction


Observations:

This destination suggests a reflective area where the public can experience the serenity of the site. Seating is provided on concrete plinths and offers a range of option including bench seating and seating with arms. There is currently no formed path to the area.

The path of travel to the viewing platform, that projects over the lake, is over grass.

Destination 8 | Viewing Platform & Seating

Recommendations:• Provide a formed accessible path of travel to the viewing

platform and at least one seating area to enable equitable access for people using a mobility aid.


Observations:

This area is generally level, enabling equitable access. There are currently no formed paths to these areas – travel is over grass.

Recommendations:

• Provide a formed accessible path of travel to the Birdwatch Sign and Fig Tree to enable access for people with limited mobility.

• The provision of seating with arms is recommended at the Fig Tree to provide a resting place for people with ambulant disabilities or fatigue easily.

Destination 9 | Birdwatch Sign 2 & Memorial Seat


Recommendations:

• Provide a formed accessible path of travel to the viewing platform and seating to enable access for people with limited mobility.

Destination 10 | Birdwatch Sign 3 & Yacht Launching Pontoon

Observations:

This area is generally level. There are no formed paths to the birdwatch sign, viewing platform, seating or pontoon.

Concrete ramp gradient is not conducive to wheelchair access.

This destination is accessible via the eastern side of the lake due to steep gradients to the west.


Observations:

Level access is provided from the roadway leading to the Reserve Headquarters. For people with limited mobility, access to this area can be gained via vehicle – site topography prevents to provision of an accessible path of travel

Recommendations:

• Provide a formed accessible path of travel to the Picnic Tables from the roadway to enable access for people with limited mobility.

Destination 11 | Upper Picnic Area


Observations:

Level access is provided from the roadway leading to the Reserve Headquarters. For people with limited mobility, access to this area can be gained via vehicle.

Destination 12 | Reserve Headquarters


• Link 1 - Carpark to The Lake Trail Gate

• Link 2- Entry Gate 1

• Link 3 - Entry Gate to Snake Gully Junction

• Link 4 - Snake Gully Junction to Viewing Platform

• Link 5 - Viewing Platform to Memorial Seating

• Link 6 - Memorial Seating to Yacht Launching Pontoon

• Link 7 - Yacht Launching Pontoon to Picnic Area

• Link 8 - Entry Gate 2

• Link 9 - Pump House to Reserve HQ


• Inform users of the accessible features as many people with disabilities must plan ahead to ensure that accessible facilities are available at their destination.

• Downloadable documents available from websites or hard copies available from venues / facilities.

• Include information about accessible facilities including carparking, toilet facilities, accessible paths of travel, wheelchair charging points and other accessible features.

Mobility Map

Walka Miniature Railway

The miniature railway within the Walka Water Works operates on the first and third Sunday of the month, weather permitting. It offers a unique experience of the Walka Water Works site, meandering around the lake along approximately 1.5km of track.


The carriages do not facilitate access for people with limited mobility being of inappropriate design to accommodate a wheelchair. As is typical of this type of facility, the carriages require the user to straddle the seat and maintain their balance for the duration of the journey.

Walka Miniature Railway intends to provide an accessible carriage to promote inclusion and offer the opportunity for people with a disability to participate in this activity.


The proposal includes the provision of one (1) accessible carriage in the first instance. As up to three (3) trains operate at any one time, the intention is to provide up to three (3) accessible carriages if there is deemed to be a demand, funding permitting.

There are very few precedents – we found a couple in the UK.


• Carriage floor area.

• Ramped access to carriage.

• Securing the Wheelchair.

• Companion Seating.

• Width of train tracks.

• Height above train tracks.

Carriage Considerations


Developed to assist people board and alight the carriage.

• The accessible carriage will be boarded via the existing “exit” gate as it provides direct access to the platform;

• Staff / volunteers will be trained in assisting passengers to and from the accessible carriage;

• Passengers traveling in the accessible carriage will remain onboard whilst the engine is turned at Cedar Place. It is current practice that passengers alight from the carriage whilst this takes place.

• There is a proposal for a “loop” that will negate the need for turning the trains.

Management Plan

Walka Miniature RailwayThe Carriage - Plan

Walka Miniature RailwayThe Carriage - Section

Walka Miniature RailwayThe Carriage

Walka Miniature RailwayPublic Support

• Fabulous inclusive community.

• This is amazing.

• WOW that is an amazing idea, well done to everyone.

• Good on you guys. That’s a great act.

• This is great my daughter will love this.

• How cool!!!!

Thank you

New Inclusion in External Environments · 2019. 8. 21. · Project Overview • Part of a “Grand...

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