The Hunter analysis is part of a broader draft report that splits regional Australia into 45 areas, and uses feedback from stakeholders and the federal Regional Development Australia (RDA) agencies to analyse the "strengths and gaps" in each region.

Infrastructure Australia (IA) says it's the first time a report of "such magnitude" has focused on the regions.

Public feedback on the draft report is open until April 29 and a final report is expected later this year.

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The report says the Hunter's economy has diversified in the past 20 years to new sectors including technology and renewables, with "a significant portion of the region" designated as a Renewable Energy Zone.

"Skill retention for these developing industries has been supported by urban renewal in Newcastle, creating rapid population growth in the Lower Hunter," the report says.

"As a result, the region is emerging as an innovation hub, with renowned industry, education, health and research institutions contributing to Australia's growing knowledge sector."

The Hunter's key assets are listed as its road and rail links, proximity to Sydney and "key inland freight routes", its Defence Force presence, its port and airport, its natural environment and its education facilities.

At the same time, a number of these, and other, areas are listed as infrastructure gaps. On increasing housing shortages, it says: "Without appropriate housing for workers, the delivery of critical projects may be jeopardised."

And: "Current rail freight infrastructure is an impediment to the growth of new industries and expanding employment opportunities."

In line with numerous previous reports it says that "despite significant population growth . . . public transport has not kept pace with growth and development, with the majority of residents and tourists in the region relying upon private vehicles".

"Improved public transport, including mass transit between Newcastle and Sydney would provide significant improvement for residents . . . as well as promoting social inclusion," the report says.

"Infrastructure interventions would deliver significant benefits, particularly for rural areas of the region or those living at the suburban fringes of urban centres such as Newcastle."

The report says the Hunter's population will need as many as 60,000 new dwellings by 2036.

With 40 per cent of new homes expected in greenfield sites, it says urban sprawl will "significantly expand".

The main report is divided into state by state chapters, with a few pages dedicated to each region.

Detailed appendices, however, add more detail to the general picture as far as the all-important infrastructure gaps are concerned.

Hunter gaps include: "Public transport options within the region are insufficient with a heavy reliance on personal vehicles for intra-regional travel. In particular, there is a need for better network connectivity between the Upper and Lower Hunter.

" . . . the region has potential to grow and become exporters in areas such as solar, wind, biofuels and hydrogen. This opportunity would require the development of enabling infrastructure to support the production, storage, transmission and export in these areas.

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"Improved rail connectivity and capacity could improve freight efficiency and productivity. The current rail freight infrastructure is an impediment to the growth of new industries and expanding employment opportunities.

"To attract and retain the working population, continuing to upgrade the region's public spaces and the provision of community facilities will help to support social cohesion and engagement to enable 'healthy places', where neighbourhood environments are designed to encourage and provide health and wellbeing.

"Attracting skilled healthcare workers and improving the capacity of existing health infrastructure to deliver specialised services (particularly geriatric care in the face of an ageing population) in areas outside of major centres will be key to supporting population growth and an ageing population."

Information about responding to the report is available on Infrastructure Australia's website, here.

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