About $65 million a year needs to be invested over the next decade to ensure the Hunter is prepared for the economic changes and challenges facing the region, according to a new analysis.
"We've got a fair few pieces in place, but when you stack us up against regions in other states, there are some obvious holes. - Warrick Jordan
The alliance's research is also informed by a survey of community attitudes to economic change in the region.
The survey, conducted in February, found 67 per cent of 3500 Hunter locals expected large economic changes caused by shifts in mining and energy in the next 15 years. The figure was 69 per cent in the Upper Hunter.
Sixty four per cent of respondents said responding to economic change should be treated as an urgent priority.