It comes as the Nationals’ Chief Whip won the federal seat for the fourth consecutive term on Saturday night.

Cr Hasler believes Mr Coulton, who has previously represented Gunnedah from 2007 to 2010, will deliver the two projects to the town that has sat in the New England electorate for the previous six years. 

Cr Hasler said council had already been in discussions with Mr Coulton about securing an upgrade to the remaining 15km of Grain Valley Way to accommodate for increased traffic movements.

“We have raised this previously with (former members),” Cr Hasler said. 

“It’d only be done if we got grants. That’s something we’d be looking to (Mr Coulton) for support.”

Cr Hasler said the stretch was fast becoming a thoroughfare for trucks travelling to and from Boggabri, Mullaley, Coolah and beyond.

Mr Coulton confirmed in Gunnedah on Saturday that he was taking up the fight for the upgrade at a state and federal level. 

Cr Hasler has also backed Mr Coulton to deliver an upgrade to the water network in the south-west patch of the shire, with the possible extension to Curlewis. 

He said the 600 lots in the area had restricted access to water and most relied on tanks because of the dated infrastructure put in place in the 1990s.

“If we were to gain an extra reservoir, it would allow that area to be upgraded,” Cr Hasler said.

“We’re not working on the basis of expecting (the projects), but we certainly know, having worked with him before, that what we’re requesting isn’t necessarily unreasonable.

“It’s not a pie-in-the-sky project.

“(When he last represented us), we felt he was very receptive and a good advocate for the area and understands the nature of the area, regarding agricultural production and the background of mining in the community.

“We’re confident he’ll do the best he can as he has done in the past.”