The announcement comes as the Tathra Wharf this Sunday celebrates 150 years of existence going from a vital transport hub to a tourism icon still integral to local culture and the economy. 

“With the 150 year celebration of the wharf this weekend I wanted to announce a NSW Government contribution towards the road upgrade of $300,000,” Mr Constance said.

“The community deserves enormous praise for the effort put in to date to secure the road, which will have enormous tourism benefits and provide greater mobility access.”

He singled out and recognised the efforts of Tathra resident and long-term ring road advocate Col McAuliffe.

Mr Constance said the NSW Government would release its contribution as soon as the Federal Government and Bega Valley Shire Council agreed to match its funding.

“While the state government has taken a massive hit in terms of its incoming revenues, I am hopeful that between the Federal Government and the Bega Valley Shire Council the remaining monies can be found,” he said.

“This will show the community what can be achieved if all levels of government work together to tackle an issue.

“I would note that the savings from the Bega bypass in terms of state funds has been invested back into other local Princes Highway projects, such as Jigamy Farm.

“I understand that the Federal Government could have savings as high as $8 million from the bypass project and I am yet to see any evidence of that being reinvested back into local road projects by Labor’s Mike Kelly. 

“I would suggest the Tathra ring road is a perfect project for some of those Federal savings.”

Wharf 150 year  celebration

The 150-year anniversary of the Tathra Wharf will be celebrated this Sunday with an old-time fair complete with all kinds of activities and entertainment starting with a church service at 7am and continuing on until 3pm.

Entry is free and the day is centred around the Pig and Whistle Committee reopening the museum located upstairs in the wharf building at 11am followed by the cutting of a 150th birthday cake.

The Tathra Historical Museum has been closed for around five years with some of the valuable exhibits stashed away in committee members’ homes until now.

Council has just completed a new disabled-access ramp and there is hope that the museum will remain open on weekends and school holidays if sufficient volunteers can be found.

Attractions this Sunday include vintage cars on display, people in period costume, surf boats on the water, buskers, fresh produce for sale and much more. 

An aircraft flying overhead just before 10am will get aerial photos of those gathered below.

The road down to the Tathra Wharf will be closed off, but a vehicle will be available all day to shuttle anyone with mobility issues.

In case of bad weather, the stalls will be moved into the Tathra hall, but the official opening and other activities will still take place at the museum and down at the Wharf Locavore Café.

The day has been made possible with the help of  Bega Cheese and the Bega Valley Shire Council.