'AS a regular visitor to the Hunter over the past four years I know there are deep frustrations with Labor's lack of investment in infrastructure and services.
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Despite the Hunter's critical contribution to the overall prosperity of NSW, it's a region the Labor Party has neglected and taken for granted for 16 years.
Tomorrow is your opportunity to secure real change for the Hunter.
The NSW Liberals and Nationals have a positive plan to rebuild and reinvigorate the Hunter, the centrepiece being our $350 million Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund.
The fund will have a mandate to invest in Hunter roads, trains, hospitals and schools, and be oversighted by an independent body comprising people drawn from the region.
This will ensure the projects of most importance to the community are given priority.
We have committed $33 million towards Hunter health infrastructure, including a new hospital in Maitland and purchasing of land adjacent to the Calvary Mater Hospital for the development of new cancer research and treatment facilities.
We will refurbish Cessnock Hospital's emergency department.
Long-overdue Hunter road projects will be given a priority in our first term.
These include the upgrade of the New England Highway at Maitland, the entire MR 301 road from Dungog to Raymond Terrace, widening Nelson Bay Road between Bobs Farm and Anna Bay and improvements to Hunter Wine Region roads.
We want to put Newcastle back on the world stage and secure the investment benefits this will bring.
We will therefore fund a bid by Newcastle for the right to stage the 2017 International Expo.
As part of our strong Five Point Action Plan, a NSW Liberal and Nationals government will deliver an extra 2500 nurses, 900 additional teachers and 550 more police.
The Hunter will get its fair share of these services and my Contract With NSW means you can hold me to account if I don't deliver.
Tomorrow, the choice for Hunter residents is clear: a NSW Liberals and Nationals Government offering a return to honest, stable and competent government with a plan to revitalise the Hunter, or more of the same from Labor.
Voters only get one opportunity every four years to deliver a verdict on their local MPs and their state government.
This is the Hunter's most important election in a generation - don't reward Labor with your vote.
WHAT THE COALITION IS PROMISING:
$350 million Hunter infrastructure investment fund including $20 million over seven years to upgrade Main Road 301 between Dungog and Raymond Terrace
$45 million for unspecified improvements to the New England Highway roundabout near Maitland railway station
$40 million over four years to widen Nelson Bay Road to a dual carriageway between Bobs Farm and Anna Bay
$33 million for Hunter health infrastructure and services including land next to the Calvary Mater Hospital for a cancer research and treatment centre
$25 million for the University of Newcastle towards a city centre campus expansion
$20 million over four years for Cessnock road improvements
$15 million towards the Pennant Street Bridge
$2.5 million towards the Cardiff main street revitalisation project
$1.2 million for Wine Country Drive improvements
$1 million for a Newcastle bid to host the 2017 International Expo
An unspecified share in $160 million for infrastructure in regions affected by mining
