As one of 11 NSW local government areas affected by mining, Wollongong has the chance to apply for a share of $89.3 million from the Resources for Regions fund this year.

Councillor Bradbery said the city had numerous deserving projects, naming the ambitious adventure tourism project planned for Mount Keira as one of his top priorities.

"We could use money for the refit of the old cafeteria, getting new toilets, or more specifically, getting amenities up there," he said.

"And the other major thing I have in mind is the $25 million refit to turn the [entertainment centre] into a convention centre, so we can get more value out of that site, which is looking very tired."

The NSW government has committed $217 million to the mining fund over four years, with $128 million allocated to 24 projects across the state so far.

Wollongong received $4.5 million to fix the Cordeaux Road bridge in the first funding round but missed out in the second round despite five applications.

Cr Bradbery said any suggestion the city missed out because it didn't have projects ready to be funded was "an old furphy" and urged politicians and business leaders to support the projects

"We have projects ready to go in this city and now we need everyone, including our state politicians, to come out in support of these projects," he said.

"Wollongong over the years has been one of the state's major contributors in coalmining and we have got very little back."

Deputy Premier and Regional Infrastructure Minister Andrew Stoner said regions should get in early as strong interest was expected since three new areas - Broken Hill, Cessnock and Maitland - were made eligible for the funding in May.

He said the funding was designed to support projects that provided physical and social infrastructure to local governments, businesses, non-government groups and community groups in mining affected areas in NSW.

Expressions of interest are due by August 15.