On Monday, Mr Anderson said more than $20 million "is in the bank" for the upgrades, with Rangari Road "at the top" of the list.

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Just under $9 million would be allocated to seal about 18km of Rangari Road, and $10 million to upgrade Werris Creek Road around Duri. Locals have been lobbying for upgrades of the roads for a number of years.

“I’ve been working hard on these projects on behalf of our community and I want to ensure that these roads get the attention they deserve," Mr Anderson said.

"Rangari Road has always been right at the top of my list of priorities. This project took a major step forward in early July with Tamworth and Gunnedah councils committing to work together.

"I am looking forward to seeing it progress."

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But Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Jeff Bacon, whose campaign has a focus on a Werris Creek Road upgrade, said it was "another recycled election promise".

"In 2015, he said 'there has been plenty of talk about fixing this road, the time has come for actions to replace words'," Mr Bacon said.

"What this highlights is we have a government … saying that they are going to work hard for us and they will deliver for regional NSW, and this is just another example of them failing to do that.

"Mr Anderson has promised to do this in the past, and he’s been unable to do it. There is no way that I can see him being able to deliver it now."

In response to these comments, Mr Anderson said it was a matter of time.

"It's taken a long time to get the councils together," Mr Anderson said.

"We’ve done a lot of work ... This is a case of hard work and working with the community."

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