Wollongong will now be eligible for millions of dollars in funding under a NSW government initiative to support communities affected by mining activity.
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Earlier this year there was anger when Wollongong was left off a list of seven local government areas eligible for 2013-14 funding through the Resources for Regions program, despite having coalmines that delivered more mining royalties to the government than some of the successful areas.
The objective of the program, managed by Infrastructure NSW, is to relieve infrastructure constraints and support communities in regional areas affected by mining by providing up to $160 million over four years.
At the time Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery described the exclusion as "outrageous" and Keira MP Ryan Park was left "furious".
However, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services Andrew Stoner said a reassessment revealed that the Wollongong LGA was significantly "indirectly affected" by mining and was therefore eligible to apply for funding in 2013-14.
"Resources for Regions provides grants worth millions of dollars for communities experiencing unique direct and indirect pressures on their infrastructure and services as a result of mining activity," Mr Stoner said.
"An independently audited assessment was completed earlier this year to identify which communities needed funding most urgently and to determine which LGAs could apply in 2013-14.
"The assessment identified LGAs directly impacted by mining activity based on royalties paid, and those indirectly impacted based on survey responses and mining-related truck movements."
Mr Stoner said that though the initial assessment had been thorough, it had not considered that some LGAs directly affected by mining activity might also be indirectly affected.
He said a later analysis of mining-related truck movements identified Wollongong's eligibility to apply for funding in 2013-14.
Potential applicants for the funds include the council, businesses, non-government organisations and community groups, Mr Stoner said.
"The NSW government will be looking for innovative approaches to the delivery of community infrastructure and includes business projects which seek to deliver infrastructure with common user benefits," Mr Stoner said.
"In recognition that rapid mining-related growth places pressures on economic as well as social infrastructure in mining-affected communities, the program is open to economic and social infrastructure projects.
"Funding for infrastructure projects will be allocated through a competitive grants process following consultation with stakeholders."
Kiama MP Gareth Ward said he was delighted for Wollongong.
"I was determined to fight for every dollar I can get out of Macquarie Street for this region - there was a clear disparity when the Hunter was doing so well out of this program and the Illawarra was not."
Mr Stoner said the deadline for expressions of interest for projects in the Wollongong LGA will be June 11.
For more information on Resources for Regions, including the application process, go to business.nsw.gov.au/assistance.
