Corowa 2009 -'Year of the Amphibian & Year of the Blitz 2'

[alexmacca30]

The committee are fully aware that the airport is not exactly family friendly. However, you are talking about one small part of the entire event, being the swap meeting.

To explain an issue that was brought up from past events was the problem of people racing back from the photo shoot to Bangerang Park. One year this did create many safety concerns with the Year of the Carrier. There were vehicles going everywhere.

So to alleviate these issues, the swap meeting was moved to the Airport site as a trial. From what I heard this worked well (I was busy dismantling a Traffic Management Plan so was not there for the end of the photo shoot).

With tracked vehicles attending next year the airport will be in use again.

I had my family there who basically didn't see me due to the arrangements I had to make to organise the parade and vehicle management. It was very difficult to split myself into two places at once. With the Saturday being the main day and yes a lot of the action was happening at the airport in the heat, it is only one day and attending the activities there is optional.

This coming event there will be as much happening at both locations (water levels being kinder we hope).

We need to remain more safety conscious in todays society and having the swap meet at the airport has alleviated this issue.

[Rusty]

To explain an issue that was brought up from past events was the problem of people racing back from the photo shoot to Bangerang Park. One year this did create many safety concerns with the Year of the Carrier. There were vehicles going everywhere.

There could be other ways and options to be looked at to accommodate families and alleviate a rush to Bamarang Park, heres one suggestion I am sure there could be others with more ideas. 2009 is still a little way off so it may be good for the event to open a new page and consider ideas that are offered.

Heres one

Form up at the airport in the large space afforded there, take photos and then move off in order of parade to Bamarang Park. The space afforded by the airport should put things into a decent order unlike the crowding and jumble that takes place outside of the bridge crossing.

[alexmacca30]

We're always open to suggestions however, there are a few issues with that suggestion.
Firstly, we need council approval. It is one thing to form up at the bridge and create a traffic jam going into the airport, doing it in reverse is out of the question as it disrupts the shop trade. There is also the added costs of the staff member from Australian Traffic control, the staff from VRA and the extra traffic management plan that requires approval. There are far more logistics than just running a convoy back the other way.

Not a happening thing.

Alex

[Rusty]

Gee you seem to have spat the dummy at that suggestion Alex

Not a happening thing.

To me a one way trip in either direction through Corowa would take the same resources and have a similar effect, do people in Corowa only shop on the right hand side of the street on Saturdays?

I suggest Alex that your answer does not really convey any discernable picture of the problems involved that others may wish to help you with. But it’s just a little rant of authority and inflexibility to a suggestion.

Not a happening thing.

[alexmacca30]

Nope, not spitting the dummy, just making everyone aware that it's not quite as simple as turning a parade around and going back the other way. I don't think that the council would approve of doing it that way.

Also remember that KVE have to pay for services of appropriately qualified people to man the traffic management. It is not just a case of using the same resources. A different route would be required by council to avoid the main street. It is a matter of everything being approved.

I know what you are suggesting, it's just easier said than done.

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Rusty
Thanks for saying exactly what I thought, in all three of your posts. I am assuming that after the politics of the last year, ALL of KVE will give due consideration to the suggestions that are being asked for. Replies that bounce back so quickly may lead to the idea that this is not the case.
Count me out for an airport swapmeet.
Richard

[Ian Pullen]

Thanks gentlemen for your feedback. I can understand where Alex is coming from with his reply too. The work that he did with the TMP probably could not have been done by anyone else who attends Corowa. So I can attest to his replies.

Personally I believe that negative feedback should be accompanied by possible solutions, not just a complaint for the sake of it.

Having said that maybe an e-mail to Alex, Jan, myself or anyone on the committee detailing your ideas could have been a bit more personal.

I agree the Airport as it stood WAS uncomfortable for families. Of that there is no argument. Remember, we DO NOT usually get 40 degree days in March. Here is the question, was the main complaint the heat. It was for me. I was there too.

If the heat was the problem then the committee really can't do much about that. The shade goes hand in hand with that. We as the committee didn't know it was going to be that big or that hot.

Fact. It was the biggest swap meet that they have had. There were more stall holders than ever before.

Fact. It was the longest swap meet that has been held.

Fact. There were more locals that attended that ever before. Source of that being the local Council and volunteer organisations. Plus discussions with the local papers after the event.

Alex is correct in that it is easier on traffic to start from the normal start point and get the Airport vehicles there early. NOT the other way around. This has a smaller impact on local traffic.

In addition the normal start point may not even exist next year. Council have plans afoot for road works that will change that whole area.

The other thing is resistance to change. If that is a concern, I am afraid the committee can't do any thing about that either. We have to change with council, attending numbers etc etc.

As for the demigraphics as to expecting 200 vehicles. Take into effect the growing annual attendances and the type of vehicles in attendance. Then consider the number of individual types compared to theme year and whether they have attended for some time. For example, there was only one GPA there this year where there is normally an average of 8-10. Blitz numbers were down also compared to past years. As this is the theme vehicle set I would expect a larger number of them next year.

There will be tracked vehicles again as well.

You mentioned keeping it all together at Bangarang Park, guys it would be great as well as a lot simpler if we could do it. The plain truth is with the type and number of vehicles attending we have simply outgrown that one location to do it safely..... Sorry.

Suffice to say, would a marquis placed at the Airfield by rotary to cater for the ladies with tea, coffee, cold drinks etc be acceptable as a compromise. If there are any other suggestions feel free to send me a PM or e-mail, I am more than happy to talk them over.

As for the stall holders at the swapmeet, it was a learning curve for all. I know I will be bringing additional shade next year, I have suggested that they do the same. This is something that ALL stall holders at swapmeets should be able to understand and accept. I know that at Bendigo, not every stall holder gets shade and soft grass underfoot. We are in the middle of a drought, the Airfield is usually a bit greener that that anyway.

If as a committee we are not doing as the members wish, then maybe you could put your name forward at the AGM for a position. I am sure that we wouldnt mind, as I said we are open to ideas.