Many of us have seen first hand in recent weeks where our major infrastructure needs to be improved.

There are still puddles of water visible in parts of Maitland, almost a month after the super storm  hit the region.

The natural disaster showed that urgent action is needed to flood-proof the region so that lives aren’t lost, communities aren’t isolated and Maitland’s roads don’t reach gridlock.

While the disaster has played out in recent weeks, the region’s unemployment rate has remained high.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that the jobless rate in the Hunter, outside Newcastle, was 10.1 per cent last month.

While this is an improvement on the March figure of 12.4 per cent, it is still almost double the state average.

Former Maitland councillor Ray Fairweather believes the Hunter’s unemployment and infrastructure issues could be addressed hand in hand. He says the unemployment rate in the Hunter is unacceptable – and he’s  right.

Mr Fairweather says state and federal governments could provide funding for local unemployed people to be enlisted to help with major infrastructure projects. 

Maitland’s roads could be flood-proofed with the help of local people who are looking for work.

Funding could be provided for Maitland City Council to employ Work For The Dole participants to help build the infrastructure that it has planned.

They could work under expert supervision and learn skills.

Those in power should give Mr Fairweather’s idea some consideration if they are serious about finding solutions for two of the most significant issues facing Maitland.