Too many people have been killed due to the inadequate road design of the Princes Highway: there have been 10 road fatalities in the past 18 months.

A painted line on the road surface is the only protection from head-on crashes at present and that is grossly inadequate.

To prevent these crashes, the solution is a physical barrier to separate traffic flowing in opposite directions.

The Liberal state government is taking positive action to provide another long section of “divided dual carriageway” that will prevent fatal head-on crashes. 

This highway deserves Federal government funding so that more of the Princes Highway can be upgraded.

Our lives depend on it. 

Good leadership in all three tiers of government is needed to ensure proper investment and development now will make bigger and better things possible.

Where to start depends on having a sound strategic plan that will provide decent access and infrastructure to attract the industries and employment and the necessary population to make it work. Reaching this "critical mass" - needed to make the area anywhere near self-sufficient economically - should be the focus of government planning followed, of course, with the funding to kick start it.

We need all tiers of government to look at how the whole of our region could be opened up for a better, more prosperous future for us residents and to "fill in" the missing links in the national map that lead to the impression we are the "forgotten corner".

There's more to it than simply throwing more money at the highway itself, as is now suggested by Ms Sudmalis. The highway is likely to remain pretty much an integral part of any future planning, but proper consideration must be given to how best to provide access to, through and from the whole area for people, goods and services.

A good overall strategic plan would determine the best access points and routes for all road, rail, sea and air transport, for water and gas pipelines, for electric power-lines - reserving corridors as part of the process - and whatever else is necessary to attract and service the people and industry needed for the betterment of our society and the local, state and national economy.

Why isn't such a strategic analysis and plan being contemplated? Are there too many people with their own priorities, as important as they may be, to stand back and look at the big picture … one that will take much longer than the term of the next election to achieve?

In times of need, our town is amazing for pulling together and supporting others.

Both individuals and organisations always seem happy to help. I thank the following organisations/groups for their assistance in helping my daughter attend the University of Tasmania over the last school holidays, to participate in an introductory uni course: The Nature Coast Marine Group; Narooma Rotary; and Narooma High School (with support from Club Narooma).

Without their assistance, she would not have been able to attend this invaluable educational event.