newy.com.au – Five Hunter councils will share $9 million in state funding for bridge, road, community facility, streetscape and active transport projects after meeting targets for faster housing approvals.
Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Newcastle and Port Stephens councils secured grants through the first round of the NSW Government’s Faster Assessments Incentive Program, which rewards councils for reducing development assessment times and supporting new housing.
The City of Newcastle will receive the largest Hunter allocation, with $3 million for the renewal of the Union Street streetscape in Wickham. The project is intended to improve accessibility and public spaces while supporting future housing growth.
Lake Macquarie City Council will receive $2 million for the first stage of the Charlestown to Whitebridge Corridor upgrade, delivering part of a major walking and cycling link between growth areas, schools and community facilities.
A further $2 million will go to Maitland City Council for the second stage of the Max McMahon redevelopment at Rutherford, creating a multifunction community facility for sporting clubs, events and residents.
Cessnock City Council has been awarded $1 million to replace the ageing timber bridge on Leaconfield Street at Greta, improving pedestrian access and supporting a new residential subdivision.
Port Stephens Council will also receive $1 million to upgrade the intersection of Ferodale Road and Peppertree Road at Medowie, with the work designed to improve road safety and traffic flow as the community grows.
The five Hunter councils were among 35 across NSW to meet or exceed the government’s 115-day development assessment benchmark in 2024-25. Across metropolitan areas, development applications were processed in an average of 89 days, compared with 82 days in regional NSW.
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the funding would help infrastructure keep pace with population and housing growth.
“The Hunter is growing because more people are choosing to build their lives here, and our infrastructure needs to keep up,” Ms Catley said.
“This funding rewards councils that are cutting through delays and getting more homes approved, while delivering the local projects that communities have been asking for.
“It’s a win for local families, a win for our councils and another investment in the Hunter’s future.”
The Hunter grants form part of a $54 million statewide investment through the program’s first round. Grants of between $1 million and $3 million are being provided for roads, community facilities, active transport links and public spaces.
Combined with council co-contributions, the first round is expected to deliver more than $106 million in local infrastructure projects across NSW.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said faster assessment decisions would allow people to move into new homes sooner.
“This funding will help our Hunter councils build the community enabling infrastructure that communities need, delivered alongside new housing, not years after it,” Mr Scully said.
Eligible councils are being assessed for the program’s second round, with a further $67 million available to councils that met or exceeded a 105-day benchmark and improved assessment times during 2025-26.
