THE push to have Brindabella Road upgraded to an all-weather tourist drive continues to gather momentum, with more than 600 people signing petitions calling for public funding for the project.
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Spearheaded by Elm Cottage owner David Sheldon, the chairman of the Australian Regional Tourism Network, the campaign is calling on the NSW and ACT governments, along with Tumut Shire Council, to fund an upgrade of the 124-kilometre link between Tumut and Canberra.
One of the most pressing needs for the road is to have it fully sealed, with about one-third of it unsealed.
"We're moving slowly, but we're not going to give up," Mr Sheldon said.
"Nearly all the businesses see the benefits of it - this is really big picture infrastructure."
Mr Sheldon believes previous governments have been put off by the price tag of the project when it has previously been considered, without looking at the economic benefits it will bring not only to Tumut, but the wider region.
"Most of them are looking micro at it, instead of macro," he said.
"Are they looking at the benefits for the whole of western NSW? I don't believe so."
