Change is happening wherever you look across the Hunter - and Saturday's local government elections will play a critical role in shaping the evolution of communities for the next four years.
From Muswellbrook to Lake Macquarie, the region's councils are in for a shake-up.
Port Stephens, Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie will all have new mayors.
Elsewhere, independents have mounted an unprecedented challenge for council seats. The Greens are also threatening to build on the momentum of recent elections and further erode Labor's stranglehold across the Lower Hunter.
Several areas across the Hunter will be without Liberal candidates to vote for after a bungle with registrations.
Unsurprisingly the pressure associated with urban growth, whether it be in Maitland, Port Stephens or the western fringe of Newcastle, has dominated the past month of campaigning.
And with good reason - It's fair to say new housing developments, the preservation of the natural environment and the need for improved infrastructure will be front of mind for many of the Hunter's 60,500 electors.
But councils constantly remind us they can only do so much with the rate income they receive and the government must do more to help them provide community services.
In areas such as Port Stephens, single issues such as the federal government's plans for offshore wind in the region are high on the agenda.
Although not a local government issue, it has the potential to significantly affect the makeup of the next council.
Saturday's result could also have significant implications for the upcoming federal election campaign in Paterson. Labor will be nervously waiting to see how deeply the issue resonates with voters as it mounts a campaign to hold the marginal seat.
Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Labor council representatives are in a quest to retain majorities on their respective councils, with independents, Greens and Liberal teams all making a pitch for change.
In Newcastle, lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes is seeking a fourth term in power, and faces competition from independent Ross Kerridge, Greens councillor Charlotte McCabe and Liberal councillor Callum Pull.
Newcastle's new group of representatives will be in power as the council proceeds with challenging major projects including the overhaul of Newcastle Art Gallery and the second stage of the Newcastle Ocean Baths renovation.
Lake Macquarie will have a new mayor. Labor councillor Adam Shultz is hoping to continue the party's hold of the top job, while independent councillor Kate Warner, the Greens Bryce Ham, Liberal Melody Harding and former independent councillors Rosmairi Dawson and John Gilbert have also thrown their hat in the ring.
In Lake Macquarie, roads and traffic and the future of Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Centre will loom large across the next term.
It's a three-way contest for the Port Stephens mayor's chair. Labor councillor Leah Anderson, independent councillor Paul Le Mottee and independent challenger Mark Watson will compete for mayor.
Maitland's rapid growth will be a task for the new council. Independent mayor Philip Penfold is seeking a second term in power, but long-term Labor councillor Ben Whiting is mounting a significant challenge.
The upgrade of Wollombi Road is a contentious election issue in Cessnock. The mayor's job has been held by Labor for the past three terms, and councillor Jay Suvaal is seeking a second term in the top seat, but independents, who have opposed the Wollombi Road project, are hoping for an election shake-up.
A large field of candidates will vie for Muswellbrook council, as the shire grapples with energy transition. Independent mayor Steve Reynolds won't recontest his position and a replacement will be selected by the elected council.
The consequences of the looming town bypass and massive projected housing growth will be issues for Singleton councillors to tackle. Sue Moore is hoping to retaining the mayor's role, with Labor and independent candidates trying to unseat her.
