Tathra ring road
I have been meaning to write this letter for some time concerning a ring road at Tathra Wharf.
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I was a member of the original Tathra Wharf Action Movement for its duration. This committee was formed by concerned people when the tenders were called by the NSW Department of Public Works in 1974 for the demolition of the wharf. While the wharf was saved and reopened in 1988, it was always hoped that the road would eventually be restored as well. I think it is essential for this to happen.
The wharf is the last original steamer wharf on the east coast of Australia and has been described as 'a gem of craftsmanship'. It is extremely important for tourism within the shire and to the local residents. The wharf is popular all year round and at times chaotic for people trying to have access to visit this historic building.
Yes, huge waves from a freak storm caused damage to the road, (statistics saying that this could reoccur every 100 years) but it wasn't the huge amount of damage that we see now. People were still driving around the barricades that had been erected, so the former Imlay Shire Council decided to use a bulldozer to ensure that people could no longer use the road. This helped create more damage and then erosion over the years caused the further deteriorating of the road to the state that it is now in.
I feel it is imperative for this road to be rebuilt as a one-way ring road. Tourist buses would then have access to a drop-off, pick-up point. This would also ensure a more freer flow of traffic and ease the congestion we have now. This congestion will only get worse as population and visitors increase to our region.
As for the proposed walking track, why can't we have both? This road is a piece of our history, a very unique and important part of our history that needs to be accessible by everyone.
Noel Gorman, Tathra
Good Samaritan
A big thank you to the gentleman who was walking along cleaning up all the rubbish on Sapphire Coast Drive, Tuesday, November 20. Much appreciated.
Liz Zerbst, Tura Beach
Clear benefits
Once again we are hearing news releases coming from some black suits in Canberra in regards to the annual migrant intake being responsible for some of the issues facing the capital cities.
Rest assured, the Social Justice Advocates will continue to operate publicly on the Sapphire Coast by continuing the monthly MAGIC meetings, the literacy program, the Multicultural Festival on August 3 next year and the continuing refugee visits in April and July next year.
The Advocates greatly enjoy your company, insights, life stories and look forward to all participants fulfilling your future potential. We recognise clearly the great benefits you bring to our community.
We fully endorse the Bega Valley Shire Council’s "Refugees are Welcome" stance and visible signs and will continue to demonstrate this to the broader community by continuing to take actions to show this in practice.
All ideas and suggestions welcome.
Gavin Bell, Social Justice Advocates
Tolerance?
According to a newspaper report, a wedding magazine owned by a Christian couple has been forced to close down due to boycotts by advertisers who objected to the magazine not featuring gay couples.
The disgruntled owners feel they have been discriminated against and stated that they "hope that one day soon our society can learn to accept people's differences and different points of view and love each other no matter what".
Admirable words. But where was this devotion to universal love and tolerance when they were discriminating against gays?