SEALING of the coastal road between Tathra and Bermagui, known until recently as Main Road 272 but now renamed Tathra-Bermagui Road, has been completed.
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A short ceremony was held about three kilometres south of Murrah Hall on Wednesday to mark the completion of sealing works by Bega Valley Shire Council.
The highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of a plaque recognising the efforts of the late Jack Donaldson, who played a significant role in having the road upgraded.
The plaque was unveiled by Mr Donaldson's widow, Mrs Shirley Donaldson, and Bega Valley Shire mayor, Cr David Hede.
The ceremony was attended by residents, councillors and many of the council staff who have worked on Main Road 272 over the years.
It was followed by a barbecue at Murrah Hall.
Cr Hede said the ceremony marked the end of a long journey for local residents and for Bega Valley Shire Council.
"Ironically it hasn't been a smooth journey like we would enjoy along the sealed Tathra-Bermagui Road of today.
"It could be more aptly compared to the bumpy ride we would have endured along the Main Road 272 of the 1980s."
However, it was important to focus on the positives - including the fact that motorists could now drive from Merimbula through to Tathra and Bermagui without hitting dirt.
"Travel times between these towns have been significantly reduced and, more importantly, road safety has been improved.
"This will be of great relief to those motorists including school bus operators who travel the road twice daily and visitors seeking easy access to the shire's national parks.
"The environment is also a major winner," Cr Hede said.
"It is hard to believe but for every one kilometre of unsealed road Main Road 272 approximately 160 tonnes of gravel road surface ended up in the local catchment every year.
"Needless to say, local fishermen and oyster growers will be breathing a sigh of relief because this project will help ensure the long-term sustainability of their respective industries."
Cr Hede said it was important to recognise that much of the impetus for the project came from the community.
He said the Main Road 272 Action Group, headed initially by Nick Secluna and later by Jack Donaldson, had played a particularly significant role.
Mr Donaldson had been the key link between the action group and council, "keeping both parties informed of any progress and performing his role amicably and professionally".
"Jack prepared the review of environmental factors for the future demand study and improvement justification report that formed the basis for the bid to have Main Road 272 declared a Road of National Importance.
"While that bid was unsuccessful, the REF was required as a condition of the RTA REPAIR program and contributed to funding being approved by the RTA.
"Today we recognise his contribution and that of his dedicated committee".
Prior to 1994, works carried out along Main Road 272 were funded by RTA grants.
Since then, the works have been carried out under the RTA's REPAIR Program on a 50-50 basis with council providing matching funding.
Over the past 10 years it has cost approximately $5 million to seal the last 20 kilometres of unsealed Main Road 272.
Most of the work has been carried out by council's major construction team with contractors Con Reen and Ray Miller also playing a very important role.
Mr Jack Donaldson's son, Mr Mark Donaldson, thanked council for honouring his father with the plaque.
He said that although he did not live locally, he had a feeling of how important the project was to the local community.
"It's a happy day. Let's celebrate," he said.
The plaque describes Mr Donaldson as the "driving force" behind the Main Road 272 Action Group.
"In his dealings with the council he consistently demonstrated his focused dedication to the task of completing the sealing program, through co-operation with an abundance of goodwill and humour," it says.
Mr Donaldson died in April this year.
