You would think that given Treasurer Michael Costa trumpeted his fiscal handiwork as the "largest capital expenditure program in Australian history", we'd somehow wonder why we've been totally ignored.

Well, you'd be right.

This region is an economic powerhouse for the nation, has the busiest commuter corridor in Australia and is regarded as one of the best places to live. It's also universally accepted our infrastructure is crumbling and, as the Mercury revealed on Saturday, we don't get the funds other big cities do.

Given Mr Costa's big spending ways yesterday, perhaps he just ran out of money by the time he got down the list to W for Wollongong.

Sure, we received extra funds for health services (much needed), roads (to keep us moving at least) and for a few new toilets here and there, but by and large the city's leaders have been left disappointed. No major funds were allocated or positive signs given about key projects such as the F6 extension, West Dapto Transport Link or for the WIN Stadium precinct.

Of course, it would be churlish of us not to note the wider picture to which the Government must respond.

We welcome the boost of almost $14 billion to state infrastructure in the next 12 months, which does not account for any proceeds from the sale of power assets, and Mr Costa, at least on paper, has deftly navigated the economic conditions to ensure we keep an anticipated $287 million in the coffers as surplus funds.

However, the massive amount of budgeted capital works is the price we are now paying for previous governments failing to adequately maintain schools, transport networks, hospitals and other core services.

And in balancing the books, Mr Costa has left the way open for testy times with the unions. Public sector workers - people like emergency workers, nurses and teachers, who are the backbone of our community - will have their wages growth capped at 2.5 per cent - well below the rate of inflation.

While we're disappointed by the lack of funds for renewal in this region, we are not surprised.

It serves as a timely reminder to this community that because we do it tougher than others, we have to be extra tough in campaigning for what we want.