In 2010, former Yass Valley mayor Nic Carmody organised a petition signed by 20 mayors of shires in the southern region. The petition indicated just how many areas were affected by the poor condition of the highway connecting Canberra to the south.

The local branch of the National Party has also organised petitions in the past.

In 2009 and 2010 branch members collected signatures during the Yass Show and the Murrumbateman Field Days, before presenting the petitions to Burrinjuck MP Katrina Hodgkinson, who distributed them to the relevant ministers and shadow ministers.

The two current petitioners, James Harker-Mortlock, independent candidate for Hume, and Rowena Abbey, Yass Valley mayor, hope that the current mood of frustration will lead to a high volume of signatures this time around.

Where to sign

To sign the petition by James Harker-Mortlock go to:

Yass: Yass Newsagency

Murrumbateman: Caltex service station and general store

Gundaroo: Cork Street Café

Gunning: Hume Café

Bowning: Central Garage

Bookham: Public notice board outside Barney’s Café

Binalong: General store and café

Galong: Galong postal agency

Boorowa: Carmody Newsagency

Mr Harker-Mortlock will collect the petitions next Wednesday, March 6, to present on Thursday.

To sign the petition by Rowena Abbey go to:

Bookham: Barneys

Binalong: Post Office, Hotel Binalong, General Store

Bowning: Post Office, Bowning Hotel

Murrumbateman: Country Inn,  Caltex service station/general store, Shaw’s Vineyard cellar door.

Gundaroo: Wine Bar, general store

Sutton: general store

Yass: Council offices, library, Visitor Information Centre.

Further locations will be added. Visit www.yasstribune.com.au for updates to this list.