NEW Nationals deputy leader Barnaby Joyce can soon expect a forceful reminder of his promise to find a fix for the Mt Lindesay Rd between Legume and Woodenbong.

A meeting last Friday of the Downs To Rivers Action Committee (DTRAC) resolved to put the call out for a delegation to journey to Canberra to meet with Mr Joyce, who made the road his second-highest priority while campaigning for his newly-won seat of New England.

Likely to be on the trip will be NSW State Member for Lismore Thomas George, Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan and Federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott, all of whom have previously vowed to do all in their power to fix the road many believe is Australia's worst.

The DTRAC meeting heard the NSW government had "verbally" agreed to match Federal funds dollar-for-dollar if Canberra would come to the party.

At least $30 million is needed to widen and re-pave the existing road in many parts of its 40km stretch and bring it to B-double standard.

The dream of those campaigning for the road is a full re-alignment - but that would come in at $120m.

Mr Joyce gave his apologies to the DTRAC meeting, with Mr George speaking in his defence for a lack of action on the road since being elected, saying the MP and now Agriculture Minister had been "flat out" dealing with the Indonesian cattle market and the now-quashed sell-off of Graincorp.

The Daily News attempted to seek comment from Mr Joyce on Friday but he was unavailable.

A spokesman said the ex-Senator - rumoured to have his eye on the Nationals leadership - understood "how important the issue is" to people on both sides of the border with a stake in the road.

"Barnaby would certainly welcome a delegation to Canberra at any stage to talk through the issue," the spokesman said.

In further confirmation of the shocking state of the Mt Lindesay - the major freight link between the Darling Downs and the NSW Northern Rivers - last Friday's meeting heard an application by Northern Rivers Meats for B-double access had been refused on safety grounds by Tenterfield Shire Council.

The council was praised for its past stance on the road which has little direct benefit for the 7000 ratepayers of Tenterfield Shire yet sucks up 75% of its roads maintenance budget every year.

The meeting was also attended by former Southern Downs mayor Ron Bellingham, who has become DTRAC's patron after the passing of former and Woodenbong stalwart Les Watson earlier this year.