ANZAC Day services in Bega, Bemboka, and Tathra will look a bit different this year after changes to traffic control rules in the Bega Valley.
President of the Bega RSL Sub-Branch Gary Berman said new directives from Safe Work NSW meant organisations now needed "ticketed personnel" overseeing traffic control for marches and ceremonies.
"In previous years we were able to have the RFS boys do traffic control, but now we have to employ private contractors to oversee that, and that's costing us $4000 for Bega, Bemboka and Tathra," he said.
"The same thing will apply for Eden, Merimbula, Pambula, Cobargo and Bermagui.
"RSL HQ will cover it this year, but it's a problem that won't be going away."
Mr Berman said the changes would mean the RSL sub-branch would hold a "moving march" rather than a traditional "static march".
"Our original plans would have cost us $11,000, so we've decided to have a moving march instead," he said.
"We usually close the roads and they'll stay closed until the end of the ceremony, but now we'll have a tail vehicle which will come along and remove the barriers as the march progresses and we get to the precinct area.
"This means the crowd will not be allowed on any roads once the march enters the precinct area because all those roads will be open as soon as the march have moved through."
Mr Berman said people wanting to attend ANZAC Day services would now be required to stand either on the footpath or inside the "gated area" near the memorial.
"You can still stand on the footpath, you just can't be on the road," he said.
"The march will still follow its normal route, but when it's finished everyone will be required to go into the precinct or stand on the footpath.
"Once the march is over and we start the ceremony, the road will open and traffic will proceed along Carp Street as normal."
Joel Erickson
Contact me at j.erickson@austcommunity.com.au or 0447 796 748.
Contact me at j.erickson@austcommunity.com.au or 0447 796 748.
