Council had delayed for more than two years the use of its new sign while awaiting the results of this trial. If the trial showed Wedge notation to be successful, and they extended its use throughout the Shire, it could open the way for other councils to adopt the scheme.

In their report of February 9, however, council officers recommended against the use of Wedge notation on Hornsby Shire’s new signs. This recommendation was based almost entirely on the responses of the second group surveyed, which was comprised of the 39 other metropolitan councils and the emergency service providers for the Hornsby-Ku-ring-gai area. Of the 47 respondents in this group, only 38% were familiar with the signs. 62% knew nothing of Wedge notation, which, it has always been acknowledged, would need an initial education campaign. It is not surprising that only 17% of this group selected Wedge notation as the most effective option, while 55% selected the Australian Standard, which is flawed (see Figure 2 in Wedge Notation).

I protested that the data did not support the recommendations because more weight was being given to the responses of 47 responding ill-informed "stakeholders," few of whom would have even visited the trial area, than to the responses of 285 well-informed residents, whose choice was clearly the Wedge scheme. I also protested that the report contained no mention of any of the written support listed above.

Council resolved to defer a decision for three months (until May 10) while it explored the interest of neighbouring councils and Standards Australia in Wedge notation.

On March 7 I presented the scheme to a meeting of the Roads Signs and Traffic Signals committee at Standards Australia, whose members will give their individual opinions on its merit in due course. If favourably viewed by them, it could eventually be incorporated into the Standard, at least as an option, but only after more extensive testing.

If you feel Wedge notation has merit—if you would like to one day see it used throughout Sydney—I urge you to send the letter given below. Hornsby Shire’s Councillors displayed vision and courage in 1997 when they agreed to trial this new and unproven scheme on 16 signs. This next step requires much greater courage. Whether or not they take that step depends entirely on their conviction that there is enough support for it. Your vote definitely matters.

I will see that your vote reaches not only Hornsby Shire Council but also your own council, Standards Australia, and the Local Government Association. But I must have your letters by May 5.

I also urge you to give this letter and your copy of Wedge Notation to an associate.

Thank you.

Yours for better signage

Beatrice Player

NB: If you would like to study in detail this scheme applied in a variety of situations, please phone 9876 5993 for a copy of The Wedge At Work, prepared for Standards Australia and for councils who might consider the use of Wedge notation.

Sample Letter:

To the Councillors of Hornsby Shire:

I would like you to adopt Wedge notation for Hornsby Shire’s new street name signs.

I live in ______________________________ Council.

(Add anything else you wish.)

YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS
.