The NRMA says people need to be a Sudoku genius to work out some street signs and believes it’s time they were fixed because confused motorists are being slugged with fines for not complying with signs that are confusing or difficult to see.
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But while councils put up the signs and employed the yellow bombers, they say it’s the responsibility of the Roads and Maritime Services to introduce a better system like kerbside line markings to reduce the clutter and confusion that multiple signs create.
There’s confusing signs around here.
An Orange driver reckons he was dudded by a $248 parking fine in the dead-end section of Colvin Lane that the Office of State Revenue refused to overturn.
He was booked while unloading two small boxes for a business backing on to the large open area at the end of the lane that runs off Lords Place.
It’s not like a normal street but rather a big backyard for several businesses with little traffic activity and no footpath or kerbing.
The ‘no standing’ signs are stuck on the back wall of a building and face outwards. They’re not on posts like in a street and can’t be seen by anyone approaching them in the laneway.
The Office of State Revenue said it was the driver’s responsibility to look for the posted restrictions to ensure he was parked legally.
So three cheers for the NRMA’s criticism of confusing signs.
BANJO IDEAS ALWAYS COME AND GO
ORANGE mayor Reg Kidd wants a bronze Banjo Paterson sitting on a bench seat in the central business district, but in the good old days, when Orange had a tourism management committee, it had plans for a national company to build a replica of the Narrambla homestead where Banjo was born.
Stages of the development on Ophir Road were to also include a replica of the adjoining Templer’s Mill, which was blown up by the old Canobolas Shire Council, a restaurant and bistro, conference centre and theatre and coach parking.
The project, which the committee said would be in keeping with Banjo’s national and international status, had the blessing of a granddaughter of the poet who offered her and her family’s full support.
But, of course, the development never went ahead.
PREDICTIONS AND FORECASTS ARE UP IN THE AIR
IT wasn’t long ago that weather forecasting was a hit and miss affair and when the weather bureau told us we were getting a sunny day, it rained cats and dogs and we drowned.
If the bureau forecast rain, often there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and we cooked, but is it any better now?
Given the ridicule we heap on forecasters for getting predictions wrong, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the language they use is extremely vague.
Today’s forecast for Orange is simply: Chance of any rain zero per cent. And tomorrow: Chance of any rain 10 per cent. Predictions like ‘possible storm’, ‘shower or two clearing’ or ‘rain at times’ cover all eventualities.
But with the use of satellites the bureau’s forecasts are still far more accurate than they used to be but remember when we depended on granny predicting rain if there was a ring around the moon or if white clouds looked like billowy cotton.
Really, the only foolproof method is to go outside to see if it’s raining or the sun is shining. That way you’ll know for sure.
