Mr Scott was commenting at this week's council meeting on the New Zealand Transport Agency's draft proposal to classify New Zealand's state highways.
The classifications were to help plan the roading network and direct funding and maintenance.
The draft proposes a four-category classification system: national strategic (state highways that significantly contribute socially and economically to New Zealand and service a major city of more than 100,000), regional strategic (the same contribution to a region and which service more than 30,000), regional connector (highways that link regions and service more than 10,000), and regional distributor (all other regional highways).
Mr Scott said it was not acceptable the highway between Invercargill and Dunedin was not classed nationally strategic.
Chairman Stephen Woodhead mentioned links with the port and said the agency had failed to treat both the Invercargill to Dunedin, and the Milton to Queenstown links with respect.
"We need to stand up and shake a stick. We contribute to the national economy considerably," Mr Woodhead said.
State Highway 8 between Milton and Queenstown had been classed a regional distributor road.
The council believed it should be a regional connector because it provided a critical connection between Dunedin and Central Otago.
The Lindis Pass route was another that needed re-classification, from regional strategic to regional connector, because it was vital for both freight and tourism, and a lifeline for Wanaka and Queenstown, the council said in its submission.
The criteria and thresholds in the plan failed to "take into account ... projections, a concern particularly for high growth areas such as the Queenstown-Lakes district".
The council also called for classification of the Catlins coastal road between Balclutha and Invercargill via Kaka Point because it was a key tourist route.
Feedback on the agency's proposal closed yesterday.
Another document will go out for further consultation later this year.
