SIX new mayors have joined the board of a super-group of councils that provides a united voice to advocate for the region and tackle shared challenges.
The reshuffled Hunter Joint Organisation (HJO) board met for the first time in Maitland on Thursday and voted to return Singleton mayor Sue Moore to the helm, joined by newcomer Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson as deputy chair.
It is the first time the HJO has had two women as chairs.
Freight opportunities offered by the Newcastle Airport expansion, state government cost-shifting to local councils, establishing a circular economy, housing affordability and the provision of infrastructure to support housing growth are at the top of the agenda for the councils.
Cr Moore said the councils have more power together than standing alone.
"It doesn't mean the individual councils can't have their own advocacy, which is always hugely important, but our advocacy at the moment is really focusing on about 10 items," she said.
"We're really trying to focus on things that benefit the region, the communities of the whole Hunter and we've got such a diverse range from Upper Hunter to MidCoast, Lake Macquarie and all of us in-between."
The HJO brings together elected mayors and general managers from 10 councils across the region.
Cr Moore said all 10 councils can see the opportunities the Newcastle Airport expansion will bring.
"The international airport itself is an obvious one, but the freight hasn't been thought of or explored as much so we're very strong on advocating for that as a project," she said.
The group includes Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, MidCoast, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton and Upper Hunter.
The Hunter region's population is forecast to reach one million people by 2040, and with a Gross Regional Product valued at $86.2 billion it boasts the largest regional economy in Australia.
The region's strengths lie in agriculture, manufacturing, defence, tourism, mining and energy.
HJO deputy chair Cr Anderson said she hopes the six fresh faces will bring new ideas and perspectives to the table.
"I've really liked the opportunity that I've got now to come in and listen to other mayors and the challenges they have in their local government areas," she said.
"There's a lot more opportunity to get in front of the relevant ministers both at a state and federal level, and shadow ministers, to be able to put forward what we're looking for and really push that strong advocacy piece."
Cr Anderson said the common denominator across the Hunter was housing affordability and availability.
"We've got housing targets but we don't have the infrastructure to meet what we need to do," she said.
"That also lined up with the growing rate of homelessness that each local government area is seeing and experiencing due to a lack of affordable and social housing.
"So the housing piece was really a priority and a common thread throughout all of the Hunter councils."
Over the coming months the new board will work together to identify their shared regional priorities on which to collectively advocate for the region.
The board's key objectives are to establish a long-term vision for the Hunter, champion the region's shared interests at a state and federal level and facilitate joint opportunities.
The board includes Cessnock mayor Daniel Watton, Dungog mayor Digby Rayward, Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz, MidCoast mayor Claire Pontin, Maitland mayor Philip Penfold, Muswellbrook mayor Jeffrey Drayton, Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge, Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson, Singleton mayor Sue Moore and Upper Hunter mayor Maurice Collison.
Board meetings are held every two months and are hosted by a different member council each time.
