It would need to first do a review to work out what and where to spend the money on under a Resources for Regions program.

Announcing the policy at the weekend, Nationals leader Andrew Stoner said a Coalition government would inject up to $160 million into infrastructure projects in mining-affected communities during its first term.

How the money would be divided up and whether areas such as Newcastle would count as "mining affected" would be determined through an economic assessment that would be commissioned immediately.

Data from the review showing how much money is raised from mining regions and how much they get in infrastructure and services in return would be used to develop a long-term approach.

A spokeswoman for Mr Stoner said yesterday projects would be prioritised through the review.

"And the infrastructure will be whatever is most needed - in many areas it does seem to be roads that local councils are particularly struggling to keep up with," she said.

Muswellbrook mayor Martin Rush welcomed the policy and said the Upper Hunter area should reap $28 million a year under a proportional distribution of the $160 million.

Cr Rush said the Coalition's scheme was superior to a royalties scheme in West Australia as it would return money to mining communities and not the whole regional part of a state.