Cost of living bites in city and country as NSW votes

A day out from the NSW election, Premier Dominic Perrottet and his Labor opponent Chris Minns will campaign feverishly as they attempt to win over undecided voters.

Consulting firm PwC revealed the cost of living is the primary concern for NSW voters from the city to the bush as they head to ballot boxes across the state.

Of 1000 NSW residents surveyed in the company's Citizen Pulse Check, more than half felt housing affordability was the most important issue for the next five to 10 years.

The concern over cost was consistent across all age groups and demographics, from the regions to the inner city, PWC NSW Government Leader Nathan Schlesinger said.

"From the inner suburbs of Sydney to the remote regions of our state – everyone is feeling the pinch when it comes to affordability of housing, and basic services," he said.

Half of people surveyed felt healthcare infrastructure needed improvement in NSW, particularly for those over 55.

More than one-third said subsidies for essential services were one of the state's most pressing issues.

NSW Labor announced if victorious, the first piece of legislation passed under its government would stop Sydney Water and Hunter Water from privatisation.

It comes after confidential documents revealed the Berejiklian government sought advice on selling Sydney Water in 2021 as it looked to fund infrastructure projects in Sydney.

"The fate of Sydney Water is on the ballot on Saturday. Which is why protecting Sydney Water will be our first legislative act after the campaign," Mr Minns said on Thursday.

"That's the choice at this election. Only Labor will amend our constitution to end privatisation."

Mr Perrottet has repeatedly ruled out any plan to sell off Sydney Water. 

More than one in 10 enrolled voters have already cast their ballots, as a record 883,200 people turned out to pre-poll ahead of the election, the NSW Electoral Commission said.

About 500,000 postal voting packs had been sent to voters, the commission said.

On Thursday, the premier spent time in the Liberal-held electorate of Ryde where he went on a lively street walk with the party's new candidate Jordan Lane. 

The Liberal Party campaign bus hit an unfortunate hurdle, breaking down in Eastwood after suffering a battery failure, requiring a replacement.

It comes after the Labor Party's electric bus suffered its own battery issues on Tuesday, having to be decommissioned mid-campaign due to a charging issue.