Airport upgrades at Albion Park, the controversial City Hub, and accommodation at The Links golf course all feature in Shellharbour City Council's wish-list of projects for federal funding.
The council has ditched its efforts to secure a share of the federal purse for the Shell Cove marina after the project was overlooked in the first two rounds of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF).
It is now mulling over which projects to submit from a wish-list worth a total of $158.6 million.
Other candidates include streetscape improvements, upgrades at the Shellharbour foreshore, new shared-use paths and footpaths, and a new community centre and library at the boat harbour.
Regional development minister Simon Crean this week announced the next two rounds of the RDAF.
The $50-million third round has been quarantined for small towns, but Shellharbour would be eligible for the simultaneous $175-million fourth round.
MORE: Councillors back $55m hub
Grants of between $500,000 and $15 million will be available for priority infrastructure projects.
Mayor Marianne Saliba said Shellharbour's list of possible projects would be discussed with council staff and councillors before a decision was made on which to submit.
Similar projects, like those linked to Illawarra Regional Airport, could be "bundled" together.
Cr Saliba said discussions had already taken place with Throsby MP Stephen Jones, and council representatives had been to Canberra twice to meet staff from Mr Crean's office.
Regional Development Australia Illawarra would also be briefed on the council's priorities.
"The other thing is we want to make sure that the projects we are supporting will have some regional benefit, so we would want to make those connections with other organisations," Cr Saliba said.
Her preferred options included improvements at Warilla, the airport precinct, and the City Hub.
"We will go for realistic projects that have got the opportunity of being able to obtain funding and that can demonstrate the benefits to the city," she said.
"The City Hub would be a priority, but it won't be my choice, it will be a decision that's made with a number of us to make sure that we target correctly the projects that will be of the most benefit."
Seeking federal funds for the $55-million hub had never been ruled out and would help reduce debt, Cr Saliba said.
Shellharbour has moved ahead with the marina thanks to a funding deal with project manager Australand.
