Tuross Head’s Danielle Brice was overcome to learn funds have been found to complete the missing link in the pathway from Moruya to South Head.
“My heart is just thumping,” Mrs Brice told Bega MP and NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance at the partially finished pathway on September 4, after he pledged $750,000 to the project.
Mrs Brice lost her teenage son Chris in August, 2008, when a vehicle hit him as he walked on the dangerous stretch of South Head Road.
In his honour, Chris’ friends launched project 08/08. Their goal was to build on a longstanding community campaign for a shared pathway from town to the beach.
After four kilometres of the six-kilometre path was completed, the project hit a road block in July when it was not included in the Eurobodalla Shire Council pathways strategy.
On September 4, Mrs Brice fought to keep her composure on hearing the news the project was back on track.
“This is a very special pathway and one that has to be funded and you and I both know why,” Mr Constance told Mrs Brice, who had gathered for what she and pathway committee members though was to be a simple meeting.
Mrs Brice said what would be “a beautiful pathway to a beautiful beach” meant so much to many.
“This pathway just means so much, not only to myself, but the community,” Mrs Brice said.
“For the past 17 years, it has been a community project to have a safe off road shared pathway from Moruya to South Head.
“It is absolutely amazing.”
Mrs Brice thanked Mr Constance.
“When we first lost Chris and I rang you over a few matters, you actually came out to the nursery to meet my family,” she said.
“You traveled with me along the pathway and you listened.”
Mr Constance said the NSW Government would work with Eurobodalla Shire council and “this is going to get done”.
“I have costed it out, it is about $288 per square metre, so I will making sure that council hopefully has some change,” he said.
“They have a few projects they want to do, so hopefully with any change we can put it in to other things.”
