Project coordinator and fishermen’s co-operative director Alan Broadhurst said builders were working hard to get the project complete by the end of October allowing tenants to move in and open their shops in early November.

The co-op had just received approval for the new official name and was pleased with the progress from the landscaping and turf going in last week to the addition of a sculpture out front recognising one of the town’s fishing pioneers.

Mr Broadhurst on Wednesday last week invited out Bega Valley Shire Council staff and Mayor Tony Allen to discuss progress and to seek clarification on zoning and services.

Mr Allen said

“From the first meeting we had three years ago to this, it’s absolutely brilliant,” the mayor said.

“There is only one word to describe it: magnificent.”

He said the project could not have happened without Federal Government support and funding and would put the town “on the map.”

But the real credit should go to the members of the fishermen’s co-op and other backers who had the vision to build something of the size and quality of what appeared before him, he said.

There are about 10 main investors in the project, seven of whom are commercial fishermen and co-op members from Bermagui and the Shoalhaven.

Mr Allen said the council would be involved in the official opening and ribbon cutting in the next few months when dignitaries from the Federal Government would be invited.

So far all but three of the shops had been filled with tenants.

Bermagui realtor Julie Rutherford had her development approval to move her real estate business into the building as well as branching out into marine brokerage, a service the town has not had.

A group of locals including Alan Broadhurst were opening a coffee shop/coffee lounge, while local woman Janinka Smith and her partner were opening a wine bar.

Cheryl and Tim Preo are moving Bermagui Gift into the wharf building, while Jan Coates of the Pineapple House is opening another shop in the project.