In a move which the local police force had been waiting for, the State Government announced plans for a re-engineering of the Hunter's police management.
They've proposed moving Maitland's upper police management across to Port Stephens and Cessnock's into the Hunter Valley.
However, the Government did not appoint any new police officers to the Hunter Valley, something which they've been calling for a long time.
In response to this, Police from the Hunter unanimously supported taking industrial action at a meeting on Thursday if they don't hear back from the Government within seven days.
This situation would be unprecedented in the Hunter, with around 600 police officers undertaking industrial action for an expected six weeks.
Actions could include officers not issuing infringement notices for traffic violations but instead warnings, and not policing large events and performing administrative tasks.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery praised the Police force for the planned strike but says it should have never come to this.
"It's ridiculous that the government has continually ignored this issue", she said.
"The Hunter is understaffed by at least 20 officers and resources are stretched. "I'm glad the police are taking this step so the government can't ignore this issue any further".
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