The state's independent pricing watchdog has revealed how much each council can increase rates in the coming financial year, with most councils in the Hunter receiving an additional hike due to their growing population.

The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) set separate rate pegs, ranging from 2.5 per cent to 4.2 per cent, for each of the state's 128 local government areas.

Newcastle and Singleton councils received the highest rate peg in the Hunter at 4.2 per cent, followed by Port Stephens (4.1 per cent) and Dungog councils (4 per cent).

The rest of the region's rates were pegged at below four per cent, including Cessnock (3.8 per cent), Upper Hunter (3.5 per cent), Lake Macquarie and Maitland (3.2 per cent), and Muswellbrook (3.1 per cent).

More than 80 council

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