Do more - that's the message from the Hunter's key stakeholders who want the state government to prove it is not taking the region's loyalty for granted when it delivers next week's budget.
The government will tell voters in the lead-up to next year's state election that it has spent billions in the region since it came to power in 2023, which is true.
But what it is less keen to proclaim is that it has collected $9.3 billion from the region in coal mining royalties since 2023, with another $3.2 billion predicted for the coming financial year.
By comparison, a Newcastle Herald analysis of infrastructure spending has revealed that $3.84 billion has been spent in the Hunter over the past three state budgets.
The figure is even more glaring given that the Cabinet contains four Hunter representatives in senior ministerial roles.
While Hunter coal royalties are there to benefit the entire state, key stakeholders believe our region is in need of a more equitable proportion of this wealth.
Just last week, the intergenerational fiasco of the Adamstown gates made the headlines. There are two possible long-term solutions to the worsening congestion crisis.
The first is an underpass, which would probably cost at least $500 million. The second is an inner-city freight bypass.
All indications are that neither of these things are going to happen anytime soon.
But, as several readers rightly noted this situation would simply not be tolerated in Sydney. Heads would roll at the polling booth.
The region is full of examples of similar issues of regional importance that this government and its predecessors have decided can wait and wait and wait to the detriment of the community.
Some are obvious, the Stage 2 John Hunter Hospital redevelopment, the Broadmeadow precinct, the reinstatement of passenger train services to Cessnock, an upgraded Newcastle ferry fleet and the extension of the Newcastle light rail project.
Others are of no less importance to local communities, such as Lake Macquarie City Council's request for $8 million for repairs to the Swansea channel breakwall and enabling works for the new Lake Macquarie sport and recreation centre.
All of this is happening against a backdrop of a region experiencing unprecedented social and economic upheaval as it transitions towards a low-carbon economy.
On this front, stockpiled grant funding from the Future Jobs and Investment Authority needs to be released to support councils and proponents to progress projects that will deliver employment and economic growth sooner.
The Property Council is calling on the NSW Government to prioritise funding to unlock housing and jobs across the region, including:
Property Council regional director for the Hunter and Central Coast Stephen Crowe said strategic catalyst sites including Anambah to Branxton, Broadmeadow, north-west Lake Macquarie and Morisset could deliver more than 40,000 new homes and transform 38,000 hectares of mining land into new economic hubs.
"We're staring down the barrel of a major economic transition - but with the right alignment and investment from government, we can drive thousands of new jobs, unlock new housing, and position the region at the forefront of NSW's next phase of economic growth," Mr Crowe said.
Committee for the Hunter chief executive Alice Thompson said the federal government's decision to progress high-speed rail provided the ideal opportunity to integrate the Broadmeadow mega project into regional and metropolitan transport planning. This would ensure networks, corridors and interchanges are planned on the assumption that high-speed rail will be delivered.
The commitment to a new entertainment and events centre would anchor the precinct, catalyse private investment and establish Broadmeadow as a major metropolitan centre and multimodal transport interchange.
Likewise, Business Hunter has urged the government to make a significant investment in the project.
"It has now been over a year since the adoption of the Broadmeadow Place Strategy, and it is important that this project gathers and sustains momentum, rather than remaining a plan on a page," Business Hunter chief executive Bob Hawes said.
"Business Hunter is calling for dedicated funding to progress planning for both the overall precinct and a new regional Entertainment and Conference Centre on the Venues NSW site.''
The Hunter's advocacy groups are united in their call for a state government to demonstrate a commitment to the planning and delivery of the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct Stage 2.
Stage 2 will address the remaining capacity shortfalls and ageing infrastructure that will not be resolved through the $835 million development of the new acute services building.
"Stage 2 funding is required to support new models of care that will better meet patient, staff and carer needs and allow the full scope of the John Hunter's clinical services plan to be realised," Mr Hawes said.
"Delivery of funding for these immediate needs will help ensure we can maximise the value of the new John Hunter Hospital building so it is better equipped to operate at levels that meet community demands and expectations."
Business Hunter has also called for $35 million over three years to secure routes from Newcastle Airport to six new destinations - Fiji, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, New Zealand and North America. The state's investment would be matched by a $32 million investment from the airport, Mr Hawes said.
He said the upgrade of Newcastle Airport and start of international flights had been a major boost for the region.
"Continued investment in securing new routes will help the airport reach its goal of becoming a true global gateway within the next 10 years," he said.
"New international routes also forge a pathway for eventual development of freight links which will activate business and trade opportunities in the region."
