The government’s action is to avoid a repeat of past planning mistakes that have created so many problems with upgrading the Great Western Highway.

The Premier’s announcement is of importance Central NSW Councils (Centroc) representing over 236,000 people covering an area of more than 70,000sq km comprising Bathurst, Blayney, Boorowa, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Harden, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Upper Lachlan, Weddin, Wellington and Young Councils and Central Tablelands County Council.

“We have done a significant amount of work over recent years with both the Federal and State Governments regarding the Bells Line of Expressway,” Cr Castle said.

“Mr Debus announced the Central West Transport Needs Study at our recent Centroc Summit in Bathurst.

“In it was a recommendation to set aside the corridor for the future development of this essential piece of infrastructure not just for our region but for the people of Western Sydney, particularly between the M7 and Kurrajong,” Cr Castle said.

“Country Labor members in attendance at the Summit and particularly our local member Gerard Martin have undertaken solid follow-up on our behalf with the Premier and Cabinet.

“The Premier made the statement on Wednesday and Centroc members followed it up at the Cabinet session in Bathurst with the Minister for Roads, Michael Daley.

“While the Central West Transport Needs Study has found that the Bells Line of Road Motorway will not be required in the short to medium term, we recognise that it will be required at some stage in the future,” Mr Daley told the delegation.

“That’s why we will be taking steps to identify a potential corridor to make sure we can accommodate the motorway in the longer term,”

Cr Castle said Centroc applauds this swift action by the State Government.

“This is a great first step in seeing the road built to assure the development of Central NSW well into the future,” Cr Castle said.