Almost a year after the party's announcement, there is some movement at the station with a panel of experts now chosen to undertake a review road classification framework and recommend which roads should be transferred.

According to member for Upper Hunter, Michael Johnsen the roads in the Gloucester region that should be taken back include The Bucketts Way and Thunderbolts Way.

"The panel will be talking to rural councils and tallying up all the information in regard to what roads and how much money is needed, then come up with a plan," Mr Johnsen said.

As the panel will be conducting extensive consultations with councils and other key stakeholders, it's not expected to deliver its report until at least July 2021.

Former NRMA president, Wendy Machin will chair the panel made up of five other members with expertise and experience in roads, transport, engineering, local government and other sectors. Joining Ms Machin on the panel are Peter Duncan AM, Jillian Kilby, John Roydhouse, Michael Kilgariff and Peter Tegart.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the project was about ensuring a safe and modern road network for generations to come.

"The demands on our roads are changing. As we open up more regional centres and provide better connectivity across the State, it is vital that the system for managing and maintaining the network is supporting local communities, freight operators and motorists," Mr Toole said.

The panel has already met and are working to prepare a discussion paper and consultation strategy for public release shortly.

In February 2019, the State Government announced "more than $1 billion dollars to help clear the council roads maintenance backlog, repair NSW's worst timber bridges, and reclaim up to 15,000 kilometres of council owned regional roads."