Tathra Wharf to be saved from decay with $7.1 million investment
Eastern Australia’s only remaining deep sea wharf will benefit from a $7.1 million investment to help preserve the iconic tourist attraction.
The South Coast News
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After almost being destroyed by a storm in 2016 and a bushfire in 2018, Eastern Australia’s only deep sea wharf has received millions in funding to help preserve the iconic tourist attraction.
Sitting on Tathra headland, the Tathra wharf is drenched in history, and attracts thousands of tourists each year to snap a selfie at the cafe or museum inside, or watch the annual whale migration and fish the pristine south coast waters.
President of the town’s chamber of commerce, Carmen Risby, welcomed the State Government investment of $7.1 million in repairs and upgrades.
“I am hopeful that the project will boost employment and use local trades and supplies,” Ms Risby said.
“I hope (Bega Valley Shire) council and the State Government will work closely with the wharf’s tenants throughout the build process.
“The cafe, our local community and visitors to Tathra and surrounds need hospitality businesses like this one to be open and flourishing.
“The Tathra steamer wharf and the gorgeous headland walk are real draw cards for visitors to our region.”
During the recent summer bushfire emergency, all tourists were evacuated from the south coast, and the COVID-19 pandemic ensured visitor numbers have remained low this year, putting pressure on already struggling businesses.
Bega Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said an investigation by marine specialists following the damage caused by the 2016 East Coast Low, found at least 30 pylons holding the wharf up were likely to fail in five to ten years.
“We knew we had to do work, so we’ve been putting in for grants, and this money should see it’s life extended at least another 30 to 50 years,” he said.
Cr Fitzpatrick said the work would likely go out to tender in January, with $2.3 million needing to be spent this financial year.
Carparking and amenities will also be upgraded, he said.
“It’s a lot of money, but we thought we would never be able to get it fixed,” he said.
“Some people have been critical on social media about how much will be spent, but we have to put up with that.”
Built in 1860, the wharf was vital to shipping dairy to Sydney and helping to create what is now stock exchange listed exporter Bega Cheese.
In recent years the wharf also hit national headlines after the tragic drowning deaths of 28-year-old father Shane O’Neill and his two sons in 2008, and the death of 63-year-old swimmer Christine Armstrong after she was attacked by what is thought be a great white shark in 2014.
Chamber of commerce member Kerry McKee said the wharf was the “logo” of the town, and used for tourism promotion along the south coast.
“It’s just been such a mongrel of a few years, so it’s great to see the money go there,” she said.
“She (the wharf) could tell some stories if she could talk.”
Liberal Bega MP Andrew Constance, who pushed for insurance companies to pay up after the 2016 storm damage, announced the funding news on Thursday, saying job creation would also be a focus of the project.
“Unfortunately the wharf has seen better days since suffering storm damage back in 2016. But I’m looking forward to seeing our local icon restored to its former glory,” he said.
