Mr Donato said he was disappointed the draft Future Transport Strategy 2056 did not allocate more timeframes to the various projects it listed. 

The only two timeframes given were 10 years for rail line upgrades on the main west line to Parkes, including passing loops, better signalling and bridge upgrades, and 20 years to expand intercity rail services to Bathurst, including electrification of the rail line.

Mr Donato wanted to see electrification extended to Orange. 

“We’re looking at a report for the next 40 years, you would think they would look outside the square and be a bit more ambitious, creative and visionary to get the best model of transport,” he said. 

“There isn’t a degree of certainty to a lot of these things.”

The Orange MP said it was a comprehensive report but he was surprised the Bells Line of Road did not rate a mention, despite land being set aside for future upgrades. 

“It doesn’t have anything about a Bells Line Expressway, which is disappointing,” he said. 

Road priorities as part of the plan included improvements to the Newell Highway and Mr Donato said flood-proofing was urgent. 

“The highway was closed for a number of months last year and that should be a priority to fix as quickly as possible,” he said.

With the Mount Victoria to Orange road corridor highlighted, Mr Donato said expanding the Great Western and Mitchell highways to two lanes should be considered.

“They’ve done some roadworks of late, which is a credit to them, but there are stretches that are narrow, along the Rocks or around Vittoria where it’s single lane each way,” he said. 

“Inland NSW is 10 per cent of the overall population, but it contributes 22 per cent of the fatalities – I think improving the condition of the roads is a great way [to address it].”

Rail investigations under the plan would include extending the Bathurst Bullet to Orange, better road and rail connections between Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst, better bus and coach services and flexible services for isolated communities. 

Future Transport will open a display to the public at Robertson Park on Thursday.

For the full report and submissions portal, click here.