The Facts
The majority of the Hunter’s population is located in the local government areas of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Port Stephens and Maitland.
These regions will drive population growth over coming decades. The State Government’s Lower Hunter Regional Strategy has projected an increase in the population of 160,000 people by the year 2031.
The strategy also forecasts the addition of 115,000 new homes, with 60% of these in new release areas.
It is projected 66,000 new jobs will be created in the region by 2031.
For more information on the Lower Hunter Strategy please visit:
The Hunter is a significant contributor to the NSW economy. It is emerging from an industrial, coal and wine-producing heratige to become a dynamic and diverse industrial base with rapidly growing service and commercial sectors.
The Hunter is supported by solid infrastructure platforms:
- Electricity, gas and water
- Four major highways
- Rail links, supported by a strong rail manufacturing industry
- Newcastle Airport with direct flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Canberra
- Newcastle Harbour – an international shipping port
