Maitland City Council has lodged its application for $9.92 million for stage two of The Levee project as part of the state government’s Resources for Regions grant program.

General manager David Evans said The Levee project would cement the connection between Maitland’s heritage-rich High Street and the iconic Hunter River.

Mr Evans said the project was council’s top priority.

Grant money would be used to construct the new river link building. This will connect High Street to the banks of the Hunter River and provide public open space, new amenities including a parents’ room, a new cafe and footpath and cycleway upgrades along the river bank.

Mr Evans said the city had experienced the effects of the mining industry, with many mine workers living in Maitland.

“As our population has grown, council’s attention has been on ensuring assets have been developed and maintained to support a growing suburban residential population, in particular ensuring road infrastructure has served both commuting and heavy transport needs,” he said.

“Whilst this has led to Maitland’s enviable reputation as a growing and convenient place to live, it has come at a cost to CBD infrastructure.

“While strategically identified as a key project for the city’s future, funding has not been available to fully execute council’s plans for renewal.”

Maitland became eligible for mining royalty funding after Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner declared the region as mining-affected in May.

Singleton, Muswellbrook, Mid-Western Regional, Cobar, Lithgow, Wollongong, Cessnock, Narrabri, Broken Hill and Newcastle are also eligible.

The government will announce which projects have made the short-list in September.  Mr Stoner said $87 million would be available from the fund this year.

He said Resources for Regions would focus on projects that would create or enhance publicly owned assets and provide physical and social infrastructure for mining-affected areas.