The NSW Government announced over $200 million to improve regional road safety, including over $5 million that will go towards the shoulder widening and centreline installation on the Mitchell Highway near East Narromine on 29 August. 

"These upgrades will make our roads safer for all road users, locals, and visitors, and this investment will go a long way towards achieving the goal of ensuring everyone gets home safely every time to their loved ones," Jenny Aitchison Minister for Regional Transport and Roads said. 

"This analysis identified the treatments required on the state road network to achieve a future state of zero road deaths in NSW. The road safety outcome criteria prioritise projects that include treatments aligning with this analysis and ensures the highest safety benefits are achieved," a spokesperson for Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) said.

"Upgrades to improve safety may include, installing safety barriers and shoulder widening to help reduce the risk of crashes on higher speed country roads."

Head of the NSW Nationals Dugald Saunders said that while safety improvements are good news, they are also part of the state government's job. 

"Road funding for governments should be normal business."

"The problem is they're going to have to find a way of paying that money back," Mr Saunders said. 

Mr Saunders said he is concerned about where the funding is coming from.

Speed safety cameras could extend to light vehicles

NSW Premier Chris Minns hinted recently that the average speed safety cameras for heavy vehicles could be extended to light vehicles. 

"These cameras have never been used for light vehicles before but the suggestion has come that it is going to be part of a government strategy moving forward," Mr Saunders said. 

 "We already have plenty of mobile speed cameras doing that work anyway. The people it will affect are regional people. Why would you make it harder for us?"

"We all agree that roads need to be safer and well maintained but don't pretend the government is funding this and has found new money without cost at the other end." 

"The cost at the other end is that we as regional motorists will be getting whacked with another way of being fined," Mr Saunders said.

The $200 million funding is part of the safety treatments outlined in the 2026 Road Safety Plan.

"The projects listed are currently in development. Transport for NSW will advise the community ahead of work starting,' a TfNSW spokesperson said.