Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock announced on Monday that Wollongong and Shellharbour councils would get a combined $11.6 million in funding.

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Wollongong's share was $4.7 million and will go towards building the seawall below the North Wollongong Surf Club, dune stabilisation at Port Kembla and water quality monitoring of Lake Illawarra.

Shellharbour picked up $6.8 million for just two large projects - rebuilding the Warilla Beach seawall and a Bass Point rainforest regeneration program.

"These are substantial works that have to be undertaken so we recognise the challenges for both councils," Mrs Hancock said.

"Seawalls, for instance, are very expensive - you're looking for something like $14 million for that Warilla seawall and the new seawall at Wollongong.

"Not every council has those assets that they need to upgrade or build.

"That's why in this area you have funding applications worth so much money. These projects are substantial and needed the help from the state government."

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the funding to improve the North Wollongong seawall was very welcome and would improve the popular area.

"We're about to undertake the refurbishment of the North Wollongong Surf Club and the sea wall around that," Cr Bradbery said.

"Everything around that particular precinct needs to be in place and that funding we've received - over $4 million - will be part of funding that project.

That piece of infrastructure is vital because it's one of our most attractive areas and the numbers of visitors who use that space warrants that work."

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said council recognised the need to upgrade the Warilla seawall, which was more than 50 years old.

"The Warilla Beach seawall is an important asset, not only for the people who live facing onto the beach, but for the community who access the shared pathway," Cr Saliba said.

"This is an important piece of infrastructure that is needed to prevent further erosion."

She added that the work to be undertaken at Bass Point would address the threat of weed impacts on vegetation to improve the area.

"Bass Point has great ecological and historical significance, with both Indigenous and European history," Cr Saliba said.

Cr Bradbery said the projects may have stalled without the state government's funding injection.

"Inevitably these projects would be delayed in as much as we'd to take them in consideration with all the other priorities of the city," Cr Bradbery said.

"That's why it's very important and we do acknowledge the contribution because 70 per cent of the project being funded by the state government, it means you can get it across the line a lot sooner."

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