Illawarra business groups are optimistic about the region's share of the government's planned $20 billion infrastructure spend.
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But local Labor MPs have blasted it as a raw deal for the region.
The government's Rebuilding NSW state infrastructure strategy outlines how the $20 billion from the planned leasing of 49 per cent of electricity assets will be spent.
The plan, released on Tuesday, contains little in the way of specific funding commitments to the Illawarra.
It does say the region will be one to benefit from the $1 billion Regional Growth Roads program.
And the government also claims the region will benefit from the $300 million Regional Schools Renewal program and the $300 million being spent on environment and tourism infrastructure.
However, the promises that specifically mention the region - investigating faster rail journeys, developing a cultural hub for Wollongong and assessing projects that secure freight paths for the Port Kembla port - include no funding commitments.
While no funds were specifically earmarked for the F6 extension, there is a focus on the "Gateway to the South" which includes a southern extension of WestConnex to run from Tempe to Kogarah.
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Illawarra made a funding submission as part of a consortium of regional partners.
Targeted projects in the submission included the F6 extension, faster rail travel times to Sydney and movement on the Maldon-Dombarton line.
RDA Illawarra chief executive Natalie Burroughs said though the funding might not have been as much as asked for, these key projects all featured in the Rebuilding NSW report.
"We're pleased that it looks like we have been listened to," Ms Burroughs said.
"It was the first time we put up a united front and they have listened to us. Everything that we had in our submission has been included and there is work that is happening on each of those items."
Ms Burroughs said the southern branch of WestConnex would result in making an F6 extension more likely, as pressure could increase to close the "gap" between Kogarah and Waterfall.
Illawarra Business Chamber chief executive Debra Murphy was also pleased with the report but said "the devil was in the detail".
"I think we'd like to see more detail around the road funding and how that pans out for us because that's not clear to us at this point in time," she said.
The region's state politicians were not so impressed, with Shellharbour MP Anna Watson labelling it a "con".
"Today, the NSW Liberals have delivered absolutely nothing for the Illawarra region from this strategy," Ms Watson said.
"We only have the usual 'more plans for plans' and preparation of business cases by the end of 2015."
Keira MP Ryan Park said the strategy was a slap in the face for the region.
"Yet again the Illawarra has missed out on vital infrastructure," Mr Park said.
