Funding to manage the cost of stabilising former mining voids is set to unlock development across prime Lake Macquarie land.
The Australian Government has committed $10 million to the Lake Macquarie Mines Grouting Fund to help cover the cost of filling underground voids left by historic coal mining, giving property owners and project proponents the confidence to move ahead with development.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the funding would help unlock development opportunities in areas that had long been constrained by subsurface conditions.
"This is a huge win for Lake Macquarie which will provide confidence to invest in our city and stimulate opportunities for new housing, jobs and prosperity in our community," he said.
"By tackling the legacy of underground mining, we're removing one of the biggest barriers to investment and growth in our city."
The framework for the fund was established in 2025, with Australian Government investment now unlocked to enable the fund to operate.
The fund provides financial assistance when the cost of mine grouting goes over a set cap.
Lake Macquarie City Council Chief Executive Officer David Hughes said the funding would be a major benefit to the community.
"This investment gives developers greater confidence to move forward with projects that support housing and economic growth in Lake Macquarie," he said.
"It will support new housing, jobs and investment in key centres while helping our city grow in a planned and sustainable way."
Council's Director Development Planning and Regulation David Antcliff said that higher-demand centres such as Belmont, Charlestown, Glendale and Morisset were subject to extensive underground mining.
"These works will give the market confidence to move ahead with projects that create jobs, stimulate the local economy and deliver long‑term benefits for our community," Mr Antcliff said.
Member for Shortland, Pat Conroy said the fund would help get more homes built by removing uncertainty for developers, covering additional grouting costs when mine filling work was more expensive than anticipated.
"This fund is about building more homes, creating more jobs, and giving communities the confidence to grow. That's why the Albanese Labor Government is investing $10 million in the Mines Grouting Fund, helping unlock projects that have been held back for too long."
"We are committed to increasing housing supply, and initiatives like the Mine Grouting Fund are an important part of removing barriers that have delayed development."
"The Mine Grouting Fund will provide the certainty needed to unlock development, support investment and help deliver infrastructure that our growing community needs."
Dantia CEO Tim Browne said the Australian Government funding was crucial to driving ongoing investment and growth in Lake Macquarie's urban centres.
"This support helps level the playing field for Lake Macquarie compared with areas not impacted by historic mining, creating conditions that encourage new industries, investment and jobs," he said.
