It will set the Orana region's transport agenda for the next 20 years, covering everything from bus connections and rest stops, to rail line improvements and road network maintenance.

NSW Roads Minister Jenny Atchison has unveiled the draft Central West and Orana Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP) for public consultation, calling on the region's residents to be "frank and fearless" in saying what they want to see.

The plan cites large population jumps in regional centres Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo and some small increases in all but a handful of shires in the next two decades.

It also outlines the area's three-times state the average fatality rates on our roads.

In Bathurst Monday 3 November launching the plan the Minister said widespread consultation with community leaders in every LGA in the Orana and Central West had formulated the plan.

"This is not some political whimsical story, it’s a plan to get where people want to go," she told those attending.

"This covers 20 councils, business, community more than 800 stakeholders in Orana and Central West.

"These regions are the powerhouse of NSW with agriculture, mining and now the renewable energy roll out plus many Aboriginal communities…now its time for the community to have their say.’’

"Safety is my number one priority," the Minister said.

"And the factors behind the increasing fatalities in this region needed addressing but also the economic benefits that will come from things like the Inland Rail, Parkes Activation Project and Renewable Energy roll out are good stories.

‘’We want you to be frank and fearless telling us what you want."

Minister Aitchison in Bathurst on Monday.

The Minister had an unlikely ally in NSW Shadow Police Minister Paul Toole, who congratulated the minister on the plan while Bathurst Mayor Robert Taylor said the plan was strong.

He said he and fellow mayors will take a good look at the vision from the state government.

"Communities should engage with this," he said.

The Draft Plan includes 60 initiatives, with most requiring further investigation to determine their progress to development and delivery.

There are projects across the board for shires in the Western Plains.

The draft plan suggests:

• undertaking a corridor assessment for the Dubbo to Coonamble rail corridor to identify both freight productivity improvements and maintenance priorities, and to inform future proposed upgrades on the corridor.

• delivering improved rest stop opportunities across the region to support the safe and efficient movement of heavy vehicles, including both heavy vehicle rest areas and green reflector sites (informal rest areas).

• developing corridor plans to assess asset condition and proactively plan and seek funding for maintenance and upgrades for the next 20 years for the Newell, Castlereagh, Mitchell and Great Western highways.

• investigating an upgrade of the Newell and Oxley Highway intersection.

• investigating grade-separated crossings of Inland Rail to complement the Narromine to Narrabri (Stage 2) construction.

The Minister says the Newell Highway rated as one of the worst stretches of the road network and is being looked at.

‘’There was a promise beforethe election by the Opposition to make it flood-proof but this will cost literally millions possibly billions," she said.

"What we need to be is smart and sensible and other parts of the Newell Highway also need to be looked at.’’

‘’We know roads 60 to 70% of deaths are about speeding and fatigue and a recent survey said  11,000 people were found not be wearing seatbelts. Many of those in the region.’’

NSW Transport spokesperson for Orana and Central West Holly Davies encouraged communities in the Western Plains to give their voice to the proposals within the Plan.

‘’Its important to look at these plans and have your say," she said.

The draft plan, supporting materials and details of local drop-in sessions where you can speak with the team are available here.

Submissions close midnight on Sunday 14 December,.

You can also email: [email protected] or write to: Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plans, C/O Strategic Transport Planning Branch, Locked Bag 928, North Sydney NSW 2059.