Property Council Hunter and Central Coast Regional Director Nuatali Nelmes said the announcement delivered on calls made ahead of this year's Budget to help councils deliver the planning and infrastructure that underpin housing supply in high-growth regional areas.
"In April we called for renewed funding to help councils kick-start investment in essential infrastructure and planning projects that unlock new homes across the state, particularly in regions like the Hunter and Central Coast," Ms Nelmes said.
Since the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund was established in 2022, councils across the Hunter have secured funding for five successful projects to accelerate local housing delivery:
- $250,000 - Port Stephens Council: Shoal Bay Precinct Drainage Design (Round 1)
- $107,400 - Port Stephens Council: Raymond Terrace Sub Precincts Master Plan (Round 1)
- $250,000 - City of Newcastle: Urban Renewal Corridor Project (Round 1)
- $135,909 - Muswellbrook Shire Council: Local Housing Strategy (Round 2)
- $243,000 - Maitland City Council: East Maitland Catalyst Area Structure Plan and Infrastructure Needs Analysis (Round 2)
The region has also benefitted through the NSW Government's Low-Cost Loans Initiative, which helps councils deliver enabling infrastructure by partially offsetting borrowing costs.
In the Hunter, Cessnock City Council secured $68,292 (Round 3) for the Cessnock Civic Revitalisation Project, a completed initiative estimated to support 8,827 new dwellings through improved civic, recreational and transport infrastructure.
Ms Nelmes said the funds help councils design, plan, and service the land that will become the next generation of housing across the region.
"They give councils the capacity to get critical infrastructure shovel-ready and create confidence for industry investment," she said.
Ms Nelmes encouraged councils in the region to apply for the funding.
"The Hunter and Central Coast have the land, the plans and the partnerships to deliver, and targeted programs like these make sure that momentum turns into real homes and local jobs."
Council applications for the Low-Cost Loans Initiative and the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund open today and close on 12 December 2025.
