The project, put forward by Wollongong City Council would see an upgrade to the Shone Avenue and West Dapto Road intersection to provide access to the West Dapto urban release area and Wongawilli Colliery.

There are 14 projects on the shortlist, totalling $43 million.

However, some will not make the final list as there is only $32 million available in this round of funding.

“The shortlisted projects include road and sewerage upgrades, CBD renewal and expansion of health and tertiary education facilities across the Hunter, Central West, Illawarra, Western Riverina and North West region,” Regional Development Minister John Barilaro said.

The Resources for Regions program supports infrastructure projects in mining-affected regions.

In this round, eligibility was extended to all local governments outside the Sydney metropolitan area.

While Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery wished more weighting was given to areas with a long history of mining he did not have an issue with a widening of eligibilty.

“It’s communities that are impacted by mining and, going down the list, all of them have got some sort of connection with mining or mining operations,” Cr Bradbery said.

He said, if the council’s project received funding, it would help provide some of the extensive infrastructure needed in West Dapto.

“It not only complies because of its connection with Wongawilli mine, but it’s a major access route to West Dapto and we’re trying to get all those alternate routes in place to take pressure off Bong Bong Road,” Cr Bradbery said.

“The infrastructure spend that’s required for the West Dapto land release will probably be over a billion dollars over the next 20 to 30 years. This would be one more incremental step in getting all that infrastructure in place.”

The successful projects will be announced before the end of the year.

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