A FIX for the horror Legume to Woodenbong stretch of the Mt Lindesay Rd has been dealt another setback after an application for $15 million in federal funds was knocked back yesterday.

Word of the decision by Regional Development Australia (RDA) was received just before the end of a meeting of the Downs To Rivers Action Committee (DTRAC) at the Legume Hall, attended by Tenterfield Shire Council and Southern Downs Regional Council representatives and local community leaders.

DTRAC has been lobbying on the Mt Lindesay Rd for nearly two decades and Tenterfield Shire Council co-ordinated the most recent funding request, with Mayor Peter Petty and general manager Lotta Jackson vowing to re-apply for the next round of RDA funding.

It is not known at this point if the next round will be announced before or after the Federal Election due in September.

RDA projects to get the nod in the current round included a museum and "cultural square" at Orange in New South Wales and indoor sports "hub" in western Melbourne.

Noticeably absent from yesterday's meeting at Legume was the federal independent MP for New England Tony Windsor, tied up with parliamentary sittings in Canberra.

Newly-endorsed LNP candidate for the seat Senator Barnaby Joyce yesterday told the Daily News he "would love to" go for a drive down the road with a local freight operator.

"I was last on that road a couple of years ago on my way to Coffs Harbour and I agree wholeheartedly it is in a shocking state," Sen Joyce said.

"The problem in the past has been a lack of recognition that this is a road of cross-border significance that links communities from Dalby to the Northern Rivers."

Senator Joyce said he was due to visit Urbenville in the next few weeks and would make a point of linking up with state, council and community representatives to discuss the Mt Lindesay Rd.

Yesterday's DTRAC meeting also endorsed a draft report outlining the Mt Lindesay Rd as the potential key link in a "Northern Growth Corridor" of national significance, taking in the Darling Downs and Northern Rivers and neighbouring regions.

Do you have a story of a near miss on the Mt Lindesay? Email editor@warwickdailynews.com.au