The pair showcased their idea at a Cooma Unlimited meeting on Tuesday night where about a dozen locals showed up to canvas their ideas and suggestions.

The gentlemen would like to see such a centre showcase the attractions of the region and become an attraction in its own right.

They would like it to include catering facilities, amenities, and expansive parking areas for coaches and caravans.

Both Mr Neville and Mr Dennis envisaged the centre would be located north of Cooma, possibly at Bredbo.

Locker said the region needed an accessible visitors centre that would promote the whole region.

“We would like to see a regional centre that represents Bredbo, Cooma, Numeralla, Nimmitabel, Adaminaby, Tumbarumba, Berridale, Jindabyne, Thredbo, Dalgety and Bombala. We don’t view it as a competition, but Cooma has been left on the sidelines for too long,” he said.

Mr Locker said the $7.5 million Back of Burke tourist centre and tours has been a roaring success in a far more remote location.

“If a town with a population of just over 3,000 can do it, then we can. I believe this is the last chance for Cooma to promote the surrounding area and our town,” he said.

Many at the meeting agreed that Cooma would benefit by providing such a centre for the region. Attendees felt one major tourist problem was a lack of parking space for camping and caravanning travellers and a reluctance to promote our mountain biking trails in the region.

However, there has already been strident opposition to the proposal with resident Tom Barry raising these questions in a letter.

“Cooma has a visitors centre and there is another one here at Jindabyne. Snowy has an interpretation centre in Cooma, all I believe are regional, so do we need another one?” he asked.

Mr Barry also questioned the motives of such a proposal.

“Are we a region that should be promoted as a region or are we a series of parochial communities, (“precincts”) that we consider to be in opposition to one another? Do we need to spend vast quantities of money and effort competing against each other?” he asked.

Mr Locker is hoping to find private sponsorship as well as State and Federal Government support to build up funds for the project. Cooma-Monaro Shire Council deputy mayor Dean Lynch suggested the group might like to consider lodging a submission to the Southern Alps master plan, which is due for draft release on May 25.