A further round of funding for the Resource for Regions Program is open, with $78 million up for grabs for communities affected by mining.
The Resources for Regions program aims to relieve infrastructure constraints and support communities affected by mining activity by providing up to $120 million worth of funding over four years.
The program is open to communities in the Local Government Areas of Cobar, Lithgow, Narrabri, Newcastle, Mid-Western Regional, Muswellbrook, Singleton and Wollongong.
"Resources for Regions provides grants worth millions of dollars for communities experiencing unique direct and indirect pressures on their infrastructure and services as a result of mining activity," Deputy Premier and Minister for Regions Infrastructure Andrew Stoner said.
Stoner said potential applicants for funding would include the council, businesses and community groups.
"The NSW government will be looking for innovative approaches to the delivery of community infrastructure and includes business projects which seek to deliver infrastructure with common user benefits," he said.
"In recognition that rapid mining-related growth places pressures on economic as well as social infrastructure in mining-affected communities, the program is open to economic and social infrastructure projects.
"Funding for infrastructure projects will be allocated through a competitive grants process following consultation with stakeholders."
Earlier this year the government announced a raft of projects that would receive a boost under the initiative.
Cobar was granted $7.8 million to replace the waste water treatment plant, Lithgow got $3.5 million for the redevelopment of Black Bridge while Singleton won $9 million for a CBD renewal project to improve traffic flows.
Wollongong, Muswellbrook and Mid-Western councils also shared in millions of dollars worth of funding.
NSW Minerals Council CEO, Stephen Galilee, welcomed the contribution by the state government.
“In NSW the vast majority of our workforce live and raise families in the communities near where mining takes place – communities like Singleton, Muswellbrook, Mudgee and Lithgow. It’s therefore veryappropriate that resources are invested back into these communities to support our mining families,” Galilee said.
“This funding is also a good demonstration of the practical dividends mining can deliver to regional communities along with jobs and economic stability.”
Expressions of interest for the second round of the Resources for Regions fund close on December 2.
An announcement on shortlisted projects is expected early next year.