Lower Hunter councils have been "rewarded' with grant funding to assist with community infrastructure upgrades as a result of meeting faster development assessment timeframes.
Newcastle, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Cessnock councils have received a combined $9 million as part of the government's faster assessment incentive program.
The government has provided almost $54 million in grants for 30 high-performing councils to deliver the roads, parks, sporting facilities, and community infrastructure needed to support housing growth.
"This funding will help councils build the community enabling infrastructure; better roads, parks, sporting facilities, and community spaces that communities need. Importantly delivering it alongside new housing, not punishing communities, and making them wait years for it," Planning Minister Paul Scully said.
"We have applied both the carrot and the stick, and now we are seeing results. Councils are stepping up and cutting assessment times and are being rewarded for it.
"This is what a proper functioning planning system looks like. Councils doing the work, getting rewarded, and communities getting the homes and the infrastructure they need at the same time."
Projects funded in the Hunter include:
"The Hunter is growing because more people are choosing to build their lives here, and our infrastructure needs to keep up," Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said.
"This funding rewards councils that are cutting through delays and getting more homes approved, while delivering the local projects that communities have been asking for.
"It's a win for local families, a win for our councils and another investment in the Hunter's future."
Eligible councils are being assessed for round two of the program, with $67 million available for councils that met or exceeded the 105-day benchmark and improved assessment times in the 2025-26 financial year.
To be considered for funding, the scoring criteria for the second round will be weighted towards those councils that have continued to reduce assessment times in the past financial year.
Property Council NSW executive director Katie Stevenson said rewarding councils that were making it easier to get new housing approved was a practical approach to tackling the state's housing supply shortage.
"NSW needs more homes and we need them delivered faster. Councils assess most development applications across the state, so improving assessment performance is one of the most effective ways to accelerate housing supply," Ms Stevenson said.
"It's encouraging to see the government recognising and rewarding councils that are cutting red tape, reducing delays and helping bring forward new housing opportunities for their communities."
