Thirty-five projects across the Hunter will receive a share in more than $15 million in bonus funding thanks to a revision of the Resources for Regions program.
The Resources for Regions program, which began in 2012, makes councils affected by the mining industry eligible to receive a share in mining royalties.
While councils were originally required to meet a cost-benefit ratio as well as match the mining royalties in a fifty-fifty co-contribution, the latest reform has made it easier for communities to share in the funding.
Maitland, Singleton, Cessnock, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and the Upper Hunter will all receive extra funding for major projects.
Singleton Mayor Sue Moore says fifteen shovel-ready projects have been fast-tracked locally thanks to a budget bonus of $4.5 million.
"Many of these groups would have had to have fundraised for years to be able to bring about the funding, particularly with the community groups," Cr Moore said.
"Council programs, of course, and infrastructure, that means we've got to pick between various projects, but we can deliver all of these projects and programs with the community as well as council benefitting."
The projects in Singleton include $500,000 for a new grandstand for Singleton Rugby Club, $560,000 for the Broke Village Shared Footpath, $299,000 for the Wonnarua Healing Centre, and $600,000 for upgrades to Hamiltons Crossing Road Causeway.
Maitland Council will also see $886,213 to develop a shared path at Walka Water Works in Morpeth, while Newcastle will put $500,000 toward a new active hub at Wallsend's Federal Park.
Cr Moore says the reforms to the Resources for Regions program were long-awaited and would go a long way to growing regional economies.
"Council has worked long and hard on advocating for reforms to the Resources for Regions program and it's wonderful to see that the people of Singleton are finally reaping the rewards," Cr Moore said.
