One Hunter political figure has described it as "bloody madness", but the protagonists in next month's Newcastle council election continue to make bold promises about what they will do if elected.
The Liberals vowed on Tuesday to freeze rates for the entire three-year term of the next council, a move which would cut about $20 million from City of Newcastle's bottom line.
"The City of Newcastle ratepayers deserve a rates freeze, and, if elected, I would put the council to work on cutting wasteful spending to stop the exorbitant rates growth of 50 per cent over the last two terms," Liberal lord mayoral candidate Jenny Barrie said.
The Liberal commitment comes after the Newcastle Independents promised to spend about $42 million replacing all six of the city's surf clubs and $35 million on refurbishing Lambton Pool.
The Independents say they will approach the state and federal governments to help pay for the surf clubs.
A Hunter conservative politician who requested anonymity was critical of "pork-barrelling" in the Newcastle campaign.
"It's bloody madness," the source said, pointing out that the council recorded a $32 million deficit this year.
"Reckless crap like that doesn't help anyone."
Labor has slammed the Independents' main promises, arguing the surf club and pool projects will cost considerably more than suggested and the state government is unlikely to help fund them.
Labor deputy lord mayor Declan Clausen said published plans for a new clubhouse at Merewether would cost about $30 million, way above the Independents' $7 million estimate.
Independents mayoral candidate John Church said on Tuesday that the estimate was based on advice from Surf Life Saving NSW about the cost of the new Forster surf club, which has received $3 million from both the state and federal government.
Cr Church said his group's campaign pledges were a "watertight guarantee" and, if elected, the Independents would "go it alone" on funding the surf clubs if no grants were forthcoming.
Cr Clausen said upgrading Lambton Pool would cost $70 million. Cr Church said the Independents' $35 million estimate was based on council staff advice in 2017.
The council has an annual works budget of about $100 million.
Labor has made its own campaign announcements, promising to spend $26 million alleviating traffic congestion on Minmi Road and $5.6 million on building 12 new playgrounds.
On Tuesday, Labor said a "re-elected Newcastle Labor-led council" would build the final stage of Bathers Way, from the top of King Edward Park to South Newcastle beach, during the next council term.
"The King Edward Park section is the most challenging section of the Bathers Way project," lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
"Work is under way on a concept and detailed design, to be informed by community engagement. Today I'm committing to seeing this final section delivered."
Labor holds a clear majority in the council chamber with seven of the 13 seats. The Independents have four seats, the Liberals one and Greens one.
The Greens, who have agreed to allocate their second preferences to Labor, released a "climate election platform" on Tuesday which contained no spending commitments but proposed the council form a "specialist team to develop, plan and deliver council's carbon reduction program".
The election is on December 4.
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