How the community was kept informed and involved during the road upgrade
The local community was kept informed during construction of the project through this website, regular email updates and advertising in local papers.
You can view all past email updates in the project documents sub page. The last regular email update was issued in October 2010 when the road upgrade opened to traffic.
A family fun day was held in Nerriga on Saturday 2 October 2010 marking completion of Main Road 92 upgrade.
The Nerriga Progress and Sports Association hosted the celebrations with over 1,200 visitors enjoying an atmosphere of a village fair for the occasion. A variety of family fun and entertainment included 'Bargains in the Bush' market, activities for children, live music and a Roads and Maritime Services display relating to building of the road.
A highlight was the ribbon cutting ceremony by Kevin Smith who is Nerriga's oldest resident. Elected representatives of the NSW, Australian and local governments along with people who assisted with the road building joined in with the large crowd to watch the team of bullocks pulling a 100 year old dray (farm cart). A procession of vintage cars, fire engines and trucks then followed.
Project background
Funding of $80 million was announced in January 2001, comprising $34 million each from the NSW and Australian governments and $12 million from Shoalhaven City Council. An additional $15 million was provided in February 2009 by the NSW Government to complete the full length of the upgrade.
What are the current conditions west of Nerriga?
The whole length of MR92 within Shoalhaven City Council's area is now sealed. Within Palerang Council area, between Nerriga and Braidwood, less than 20 kilometres of gravel surface remains. This is gradually being improved and sealed as funds permit.
Palerang Council also maintains the Oallen Road (a Local Road under the care and control of council) which is sealed from MR92 to the east of the Shoalhaven River.
Goulburn Mulwarree Council maintains the Oallen Ford Bridge over the Shoalhaven River and the Oallen Ford Road west of the Shoalhaven River. Goulburn Mulwarree Council is using funds from the Australian Government to complete sealing of the Oallen Ford Road to Sandy Point and to replace the Oallen Ford Bridge. There is now less than four kilometres of gravel remaining on the Oallen Ford Road. The Oallen Ford Road provides a link via local roads to the State Road network at Tarago, Goulburn and Marulan.
A signposting upgrade between Nerriga and Tarago has been completed. The upgrade was to improve direction signposting and was implemented by Roads and Maritime Services together with Palerang, Goulburn Mulwarree and Shoalhaven City councils.
Who is responsible now for Main Road 92?
Main Road 92 is a Regional Road linking Nowra and Braidwood and under the care and control of by Shoalhaven City Council (between Nowra and the Endrick River) and Palerang Council (from Endrick River, near Nerriga to Braidwood). The need and priority for improvements are matters for each council and Roads and Maritime Services assists councils with funds for maintenance and minor improvement works.
In March 1998 the Commonwealth Government identified MR92 between Nowra and Nerriga as a Road of National Importance. In 2001 funding was made available to upgrade the 54 kilometre section of MR92 between Hames Road, Nowra and Nerriga. Roads and Maritime Services managed upgrading this section including the environmental assessment and design and construction of the works.
Care and control of the road has reverted to Palerang and Shoalhaven City councils now that the MR92 Nowra to Nerriga Upgrade project has been completed.
Roads and Maritime Services is not aware of any plans by the Australian and NSW governments to fund an upgrade of MR92 beyond Nerriga or any other routes west of Nerriga.
