"We need to take care of our roads first otherwise people won't even be able to get to the different locations."

Group manager of infrastructure management John Burden said $7 million out of $12 million was already being spent on roads.

Nonetheless, Cr Treweeke said $2 were being spent in Walgett for every $1 spent in the Ridge.

"The current proposed budget is an effort to put new infrastructure in the Ridge.

"Walgett has a sewerage system, we have effluent ponds, Walgett has a hospital, ours when completed won't even house a fraction of the aged care beds needed, and most of the shire employees are based in Walgett."