Maitland will have its hand out for a share of $50 million from the state government’s Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund.
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Funding applications are open until September 11, through Hunter Development Corporation, for infrastructure projects that meet the government’s criteria.
Renovations for Maitland Town Hall, upgrades to Maitland Sportsground and early work on the Lower Hunter hospital at Metford have each received funding in previous rounds.
The Mayor of Maitland, Cr Peter Blackmore, who is the chairman of the board that will recommend to Infrastructure NSW which projects should receive money, said Maitland City Council could apply for funding for the city’s heated swimming pool.
He said the latest funding allocation would be vital to convince the government that it should add more money to the fund.
The government has not ruled out topping up the fund in the future, but has not committed to doing so.
The board has about two years left on its term.
Cr Blackmore said it would be important to show the government that the money was being spent wisely and that there was a continued need for infrastructure support in the Hunter.
But he said flood repair projects following the April super storm would not meet the criteria.
Cr Blackmore said ideas such as a $30 million boost for Newcastle Art Gallery did not excite him and projects such as CCTV for Maitland and Rutherford CBD would not meet the funding criteria.
“There will always be worthwhile projects but the applications must comply with the guidelines,” he said.
“They have to be shovel-ready and have to meet the other criteria.
“We’ve still got to show the government that there is a need there and that it is worthwhile keeping and topping up.”
The state government launched the fund, with $350 million, in 2011 and topped it up with an extra $100 million in the 2014/15 state budget.
According to the HIIF guidelines, projects should broadly fall in the categories of either transport, education, water or health.
Past HIIF projects
- $44 million - New England Highway upgrades at Maitland
- $25 million - Lower Hunter hospital early work
- $20 million - Lower Hunter hospital land acquisition
- $5.6 million - Maitland Sportsground upgrades
- $2 million - Maitland Mental Health Carers’ Room
- $2 million - Maitland Town Hall refurbishment