Councils will be offered between 80 and 100 per cent of funding for upgrades to "neglected" roads in their shire, and Tamworth Regional Council has already shown an interest in securing some of the booty.

"Guidelines for the new program would be released by the end of the year to target unsealed roads more than 20km long," a spokesperson said.

"It's a good announcement, and we are always keen to grab grants when they are available, but until the guidelines are released we will not be able to provide a list of roads that meet the guidelines."

The funding was announced on Monday, and a day later Member for New England and Acting Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce confirmed it was part the deal that saw the Nationals agree to a net zero emissions by 2050 target.

He said it was unfair that art galleries in capital cities can get funding when people in rural areas are forced day in, day out to travel on unsafe roads.

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Mr Joyce also accused some decision makers of not caring about people in the bush.

"Some people say 'poor people should stay poor forever, and nobody should look after them', well that's not the ethos that I follow," he said.

The roads would never have been upgraded, he said, if the deal hadn't been struck and it will help some regional communities finally grow and develop.

"Roads make cities, cities don't build roads and making sure that infrastructure is in place is crucial," Mr Joyce said.

"We will use every opportunity to look after people in the poorest parts of our nation.

"They were just never going to be done - these roads, and this is only a small amount."

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