RDA Orana and RDA Hunter welcome funding boost for Golden Highway; call for continued progress on key freight priorities
October 30, 2026 – Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana and RDA Hunter have welcomed the Federal and NSW Government’s recent announcement of $520.8 million for upgrades across the Newcastle–Dubbo corridor. The announcement follows a sustained advocacy campaign and a joint meeting with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) this week, where both RDAs received a detailed briefing on the options plan and the delivery pathway for the newly announced funding.
RDA Orana Chair Brad Cam said the meeting provided valuable clarity on the scope of works and confirmed strong alignment between government priorities and regional needs.
“We met with TfNSW this week to understand the detail behind the announcement, and we were encouraged by the agency’s commitment to working closely with regional stakeholders. This is a substantial and very welcome investment in one of the state’s most important freight corridors,” Mr Cam said.
RDA Hunter Chair Ian Pedersen said the funding reflects years of coordinated advocacy and a shared evidence base developed through the 2024 Business Case and the Golden Highway Taskforce.
“The NSW Government and Transport for NSW has listened. Many of the upgrades we’ve championed are now progressing, and this week’s meeting reinforced that the agency is genuinely engaging with the regions as the program moves into detailed planning and delivery.”
The Golden Highway is a critical freight and community route linking the Orana, Hunter and the Port of Newcastle. The funding package supports a mix of fast‑tracked, short‑term and future priority projects identified in TfNSW’s Strategic Options Summary Report (October 2026). These include overtaking lanes, town safety upgrades, interim bridge treatments, OSOM pullover bays, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), rest area improvements and pavement rehabilitation.
RDA Orana and RDA Hunter prepared the Golden Highway Road Corridor Business Case (June 2024) with support from the NSW Government’s Regional Business Case and Strategy Development Fund. Developed through extensive engagement with freight operators, primary producers, miners, councils and community representatives, the Business Case identified the huge growth forecast for the corridor; key safety, freight‑productivity and community constraints and proposed a staged upgrade program. At its core, the Business Case is about productivity and safety over the long term, ensuring the corridor can support heavier freight movements, safer communities and sustained regional growth.
Despite alignment between the Business Case and the Options Summary, several critical freight‑productivity gaps remain.
The Business Case identified four rail level crossings and the Denman Bridge as the key constraints preventing continuous modern high‑productivity freight trucks, (PBS Class 2B access) to operate safely along the full corridor. Only one of these crossings, Beni, appears in the recommended projects, and it is unfunded and listed as a medium‑to‑long‑term item. Permanent solutions for the Collaroy and Cockfighter bridges, additional overtaking lanes and long‑term options for Denman also remain outstanding.
“To fully unlock the corridor’s potential, we need a clear pathway for the remaining freight constraints,” Mr Cam said.
“These upgrades matter, especially with freight volumes forecast to more than double over the next decade.”
“This investment is a strong start, but it’s not the end of the job,” Mr Pedersen added.
“We’ll continue working with TfNSW and government to ensure the long‑term freight productivity outcomes are delivered.”
TfNSW is now seeking community and stakeholder feedback on the Strategic Options Summary Report, with submissions due 8 November.
RDA Orana and RDA Hunter will lodge a detailed submission acknowledging the progress and outlining the remaining priorities needed to deliver enduring, corridor‑wide safety and freight productivity.
Golden Highway panel – Orana Outlook Forum, 19 November
These issues will be explored further with Mr Cam and Mr Pedersen to lead a panel session at the Orana Outlook Forum, to be held in Dubbo on Thursday 19 November. The dedicated Golden Highway panel session will unpack the funding announcement, the opportunities it unlocks, and the next steps for regional freight, industry and communities.
Alongside the Golden Highway panel, the Forum brings together the region’s industry leaders, decision‑makers and government for a focused afternoon covering Energy, Mining, Transport, Workforce, Migration, Housing, Agriculture and more; the issues that matter most to the Orana region and beyond, distilled into one sharp, high‑value session.
Registrations are open now. To find out more or secure your spot, visit oranaoutlook.com
-ENDS-
Further information about the RDA Orana/Hunter Golden Highway Transport Study is available on the RDA Hunter and RDA Orana websites.
Media Contact:
Harriet Gilmore | M: 0427 095 558 | E: harriet_gilmore@outlook.com
