During his first visit as Premier nearly a month ago, Mr Baird said Roads Minister Duncan Gay would also visit Albury to announce stage one improvements of the highway near Lake Hume.

“We have made a commitment to starting stage one next year and the roads minister will be bringing down the details of that,” Mr Baird said.

Last night, Cr Darren Cameron asked if there had been any progress on the Riverina Highway commitment and associated funding.

“It is an issue very salient to the council,” Cr Cameron said.

“Particularly in light of our consideration of transport matters in relation to future growth in Thurgoona.

“The Riverina Highway becomes a very important subject for this council.

“Are we aware of any possible dates when the Roads Minister Duncan Gay might be attending Albury?

“Are reports in the media true there was to be $5 million allocated to Riverina Highway?”

In response, general manager Frank Zaknich said: “We are yet to receive formal advice of either of those proposed initiatives.”

The Riverina Highway upgrade was overlooked in the recent NSW budget and prompted criticism from Albury mayor Kevin Mack and Cr Cameron.

Member for Albury Greg Aplin couldn’t be contacted last night.

A spokesman for Mr Aplin last week told The Border Mail the ministerial visit was expected within the next fortnight.

In response to criticism from the Albury mayor about the Riverina Highway, Mr Aplin said in the past decade $55.5 million had been spent on maintenance and improvements between Corowa and Lake Hume.

“This year $4.5 million has been allocated for works across the corridor,” he said.

“In July last year I announced $155,000 funding to investigate cost and plan for the final section east of Albury.

“Once the process is complete I will secure funds for those works.”