One of the themes in my campaign was to emphasise the need for basic services and repairs rather than new projects. I am pleased this has been adopted in the 2025-26 budget, with a notable shift in emphasis away from new projects onto repair and renewal. Budget priorities also recognise the importance of the western part of the city. There are still many other 'basic' challenges, including badly degraded and pot-holed roads, sporting fields flooded in the face of major weather events, managing erosion of Stockton beach, planning for southern beaches, and mitigation of Wallsend's flooding problems.