That is the estimated price tag for the round of community consultation that government developer UrbanGrowth NSW has embarked on over the future use of the heavy rail corridor, Parliament has been told.

Labor said the "huge" spend had not been justified and was a "PR exercise" but questions to Planning Minister Rob Stokes were handballed to UrbanGrowth.

Has the state government done enough consultation over its Newcastle revitalisation plan?

The government has allocated $450,000 from the city centre project's $460 million budget to an extensive consultation program, to hear the views about what should be done with the corridor land from community members it says ‘‘typically do not get involved in these activities’’.

It comes after the government was heavily criticised about the limited nature of its previous public consultation efforts and surveys, including by a parliamentary inquiry into Newcastle planning decisions.

The inquiry urged the government  to undertake ‘‘adequate’’ engagement for all future major planning decisions.

The whopping bill was revealed in answers from  Mr Stokes to a budget estimates inquiry.

The consultation, endorsed by Newcastle City Council, has encompassed everything from online surveys to social media interactions, ‘‘pop up hubs’’, to old-fashioned door knocking of 250 businesses.

Thirteen ‘‘face-to-face’’ events were held, including three community forums, a ‘‘future leaders forum’’ for 12 to 25-year olds, a business breakfast event, as well as ‘‘targeted engagement’’ with people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, people with disabilities and young families.

Surveys were also conducted via phone and online, reaching more than 2000 people.

And about $6000 was spent on eight ‘‘pop up’’ hubs at shopping centres and markets across the region, with the cost arising from ‘‘personnel, venue hire fees, and purchase of a marquee’’.

The entire process has been overseen by an independent advisor – a member of the International Association of Public Participation.

The government declined to provide a list of forum attendees to Parliament, citing privacy concerns.

Labor’s planning spokeswoman Penny Sharpe described the $450,000 spend as ‘‘huge’’.

“Community consultation is essential but the cost for this process has not been justified,’’ she said.

‘‘This smacks of consultation turning into a PR exercise.”

Questions to Mr Stokes’ office on Wednesday were answered by UrbanGrowth.

A spokeswoman said the agency ‘‘prides itself on deep and strong community engagement’’ and the contractor who had carried it out was chosen through a competitive tender process last year.

More than 1400 people from more than 40 postcodes participated in the face-to-face events, nearly 10,000 people visited the Revitalising Newcastle website, and about 280 submissions were received.

UrbanGrowth Newcastle program director Michael Cassel said  earlier this week  the feedback was being collated and would be publicly presented in about December.