The history and culture of the Far South Coast has been acknowledged by the Tathra to Kalaru bike path, which has been given a Djiringanj name.
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A Bega Valley Shire Council spokesperson said so far the construction of the path, which it is hoped will eventually extend to Bega, has cost $1.3million and 3550metres of path has been completed.
The major section of the path between Tathra and Kalaru has been finished, linking key locations the Tathra RFS station and Evans Park and resulting in a community celebration this weekend, but overall it is not yet complete.
The council spokesperson said council worked with Bega Tathra Safe Ride (BTSR) on developing a name for the path and as it is on Djirringanj country, BTSR thought it should have a Djirringanj language name.
"A council staff member worked with the Djirringanj elders, who selected a word, Yili-njili, meaning 'way'," they said.
"This trail or way has been used for millennia. The old ways were a cultural route for the Djirringanj people.
"The ways are important because they are more than a road going from here to there, they also represent the whole way of life, a spiritual, economic and social connection."
The council spokesperson said much of the path directly follows the original Tathra Road, which was established in 1857 by Daniel Gowing and provided an essential transport link to and from the steamers operating between Tathra Wharf and Sydney and Melbourne.
"Horse and bullock teams were a familiar site hauling freight along the old road until the introduction of motor vehicles," they said.
"This section of the old Tathra Road provides a tangible connection between the heritage-listed Tathra Wharf and the wider Bega Valley."
The bike path is proposed to become a longer path that links Tathra to Bega and the council spokesperson said concepts were being developed to get the path through Kalaru to the west of the current bus shelter.
"At this stage there has been no advancement on the Bega to Kalaru section, with the priority focusing on the construction of the current stages between Tathra and Kalaru," they said.
"The path is currently being extended along Bega St through Lawrence Park and will eventually stop at Tathra Public School."
Bega MP Andrew Constance and various stakeholders held a "soft launch" on Friday afternoon to celebrate the near completion.
Council's director of assets and operations Anthony McMahon said although there remained a bit more work to finalise the Tathra to Kalaru link, it was already being well used by the community so an "official" opening was warranted.
"I've been told of kids riding to school on it already...it's a sign it is doing what it was intended to do," Mr McMahon said.
Mr Constance said the bike path was "the start of something special".
"And it is so well deserved. The community activism has been great, especially around safety," Mr Constance said.
"Ultimately this will be part of the reason people will come here, knowing this type of facility is available.
"When you think this path will be used by tens of thousands of people over the years ahead, this is what we should be investing in."
Mr Constance and the other speakers on Friday particularly acknowledged the local contractors who have worked on the project, including John Michelin and Son, RD Miller and Guideline South Coast.
Mr McMahon said Michelin had included a concrete slab designed for a bench seat near the Bega schoolgirls memorial, and that Clean Energy for Eternity had committed to funding a solar light for the same location - for not only a rest stop partway up Evans Hill for cyclists, but a space for quiet contemplation.
Bega Valley Shire Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said that for locals, cycling had taken on a new life and there were many more visitors bringing their bikes to the shire, to experience the natural beauty of the Bega Valley and Sapphire Coast from two wheels.
"The Tathra to Kalaru bike track is a fantastic asset for the community. It will get more people active in a safe way, particularly the more vulnerable bike riders, such as beginners, young children and people with disability," Cr Fitzpatrick said.
"We thank the NSW government for funding the first stage of the bike track and the Bega Tathra Safe Ride community group for helping us secure the funding."
Mr Constance said funding had already been allocated to council for the panning phase of the next stage of eventually extending the path right through to Bega.
