MASS RALLY TO OPEN THE COAST ROAD

The normally patient residents of the Northern Illawarra had had enough! Time ran out for the RTA on 24 August when hundreds of residents and local business people turned out for a rally to show those in power what is happening to us.
It is one year now (21 August 2002) since the RTA opened the road after six weeks of repairs, costing $4.1 million - and since they secretly formulated a controversial policy to bring down the boom gates every time 35mm of rain fell and for 24 hours after rain has stopped.
Since then, the Northern Illawarra has had to put up with disruption to their lives and livelihoods to a level which is totally unreasonable. Businesses are closing and families are suffering, with the closures severing the community. After governments spending $millions on promotion of tourism, there will be no businesses still open if the road continues to be closed. The impact is starting to be felt in Thirroul with many of its businesses relying on tourism.
The last closure on 4 July this year, and the suspension of work on 11 July with the road remaining closed, has really exhausted the community’s patience!
Two rallies were to be held at Coalcliff and Clifton, with both groups walking to the middle to shake hands in reunification. However, the RTA had declared the area a "construction site" and prohibited public access to the closed section of the road. This didn’t deter the protesters who defied the barriers and walked anyway!


Photos courtesy of Alan Richard Bond