Hunter priorities on the agenda as mayoral delegation lobbies Canberra Port Stephens by News Of The Area - Modern Media - February 14, 2025 Mayors Digby Rayward (Dungog Shire), Daniel Watton (Cessnock), Sue Moore (Singleton), Leah Anderson (Port Stephens), Jeff Drayton (Muswellbrook Shire), and Philip Penfold (Maitland City Council) showed a united front in Canberra last week. ROADS, housing, jobs and post-mining land use were at the top of the agenda when Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson joined her Hunter region counterparts in Canberra last week. Organised by the Hunter Joint Organisation Board (Hunter JO), the delegation of six mayors set out to share the region’s priorities heading into the Federal Election. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Over two days and sixteen meetings, the mayors met ministers, shadow ministers, Hunter MPs and senior political advisors. “A shared voice is a strong voice,” Mayor Anderson said. One of the key issues discussed was the upgrade of the Newcastle Airport and the potential for tourism growth. “We have beautiful environments that are worthy of international attention, and investment in the growth of the tourism industry would be transformational for our region.” The mayors also sought funding to build an air-freight precinct at Newcastle Airport, to stimulate business and jobs growth through high value products such as seafood, food manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. Member for Lyne David Gillespie met several of the delegates to discuss mining and the key issues of global demands for coal shifts, achieving net zero targets, and transitioning to renewable energy. “So many people rely on the industry for their continued employment,” Dr Gillespie said. “Action is needed now.” Dungog Shire Mayor Digby Rayward said the Hunter JO asked for $20 million to, “help plan for this slow train crash.” He also pushed for more road funding and said they received the support of Minister for Regional Development and Local Government Kristy McBain. “She clearly understood the problem, and has been successful [previously] in lobbying the Queensland Grants Commission to adjust their funding to make it equitable for smaller councils.” Mayor Anderson summarised the key funding priorities in a post shared to social media. These are: – $20 million for post-mining land use – Equitable funding through road funding reform – $3.85 million for Hunter Global Tourism – $49 million for an air freight cargo terminal precinct – $938 million for housing-enabling infrastructure – $8.5 million for circular economy initiatives The objective now is to ensure their advocacy is heard by the NSW Grants Commission. In addition to Port Stephens and Dungog, the Hunter JO covers Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, MidCoast, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Singleton, and Upper Hunter councils. By Sue STEPHENSON Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson (left) and Dungog Shire Mayor Digby Rayward with Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain.
