More employment opportunities, better public transport and ­further development of central Maitland have been identified as ways to help Maitland become part of the proposed new city, which would be the metropolitan heart of the region.

Planning Minister Rob Stokes announced the government’s long-term plan for the Hunter in Maitland on Wednesday. 

The Hunter City plan, which has been placed on public exhibition, identifies some key ways the government will help turn Maitland into Hunter City’s western gateway.

The plan noted that the government would work with Maitland council to generate employment opportunities in the city and implement strategies to further develop the commercial potential of central Maitland. 

More public transport around the proposed health precinct at Metford was also highlighted as a priority in the plan.

“One of the things that this plan does is recognise that, while Maitland is a unique centre all of its own, it needs to be understood as part of the broader metro area of Hunter City,” Mr Stokes said. 

“It’s not productive to think, any longer, of discreet towns acting in isolation from one another.  This is about bolstering connections between Maitland and other areas of the urban Hunter. 

“What this does is kick off an enduring conversation with the community based on solid evidence about what we’re likely to ­­see in the future.”

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison welcomed the plan for Maitland, given how quickly the city was growing. 

She urged people to read the plan and ­submit feedback.

“If we want affordable housing, if we want a more co-ordinated approach to development across the region, if we want to ensure that floodplain management and other environmental impacts are considered, we all need to provide input,” Ms Aitchison said.

“I want the widest possible response to this plan to ensure that we work collaboratively across local government areas, across our  community, and across all stakeholders in planning.” 

But opposition planning spokeswoman Penny Sharpe said the plan was light on details.

“What is needed here is a measured response which maps out the Hunter’s urban and employment growth in the coming decades,” she said.

“There is an opportunity for vision for the Hunter. 

“What we have instead is a pre-Christmas panic that lacks vision and includes little detail on the region’s future education, health and infrastructure needs.”