The Minns Labor Government is investing $10.5 million into 30 local projects to enhance community facilities and services across the local government areas of Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Mid-Coast, Newcastle, Port Stephens and Upper Hunter.
Rebuilding essential services and regional towns is a centrepiece of the Minns Government’s work and this funding initiative, launched in March this year, is now bearing fruit for local groups and councils ensuring sporting and cultural activities can remain connected and thriving.
The grants are part of the Minns Government’s $50 million Active Regional Communities Package, designed to support local projects that help regional towns stay active, connected and thriving.
A connected community retains its workers and families, plus attracts essential workers such as teachers, police, nurses and vets that are critical to maintaining the vitality of regional towns.
These projects across the Hunter, Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie will upgrade community infrastructure, and deliver opportunities for people to connect, volunteer, celebrate, play sport and support each other.
Some examples of the projects gaining financial support are as follows:
- $952,500 for Abermain Rams Football Club, Cessnock to deliver the Rams Football Field Rebirth Project which will include levelling and reorienting the main and training fields, improving safety, drainage, irrigation and turf quality to support junior and female football growth, regional competitions and wider community use.
- $800,000 for Weston Workers Club, Cessnock. Weston District Workers Co-operative Club Limited will upgrade meeting spaces for evacuation centre and community inclusion, including transport.
- $95,000 for the Breakfast Library (Maitland City and Mid Coast) program will provide nutritious breakfasts, shared reading activities and take-home books to disadvantaged children, improving literacy, school readiness, wellbeing and community connection.
- $743,200 for Dungog Community Hub Accessibility & Participation Project will deliver targeted infrastructure upgrades, including accessible bathroom facilities, a functional community kitchen, improved pathways and ramp access, and internal reconfiguration to create flexible, welcoming, and fit-for-purpose spaces.
- $100,000 for City Football Club in Lake Macquarie to upgrade Tredinnick Oval LED Lighting that will enable an increase in evening training capacity and enable safe, inclusive participation for a growing female playing group.
The Active Regional Communities package supports practical, locally driven projects helping communities deliver the events, facilities, programs, shared spaces and services they need.
It is part of the rollout from the Minns Government’s established Regional Development Trust Fund that has now delivered $223 million to business, councils and community groups in regional NSW so that they can grow, improve and augment the economies and lifestyles around regional NSW.
For more information, go to: nsw.gov.au/regionaldevelopmenttrust
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:
“Regional communities know better than anyone what will improve their quality of life, which is why we are investing in projects that will make a real difference to how people live, work and connect.
“Strong regional towns are built on strong local facilities and services. By investing in the infrastructure communities need, we can help attract and retain workers, young people and families while supporting vibrant, sustainable towns.
“Whether it’s improved lighting at local sporting grounds so women and girls can participate safely at night or upgraded community halls that provide comfortable spaces for people to gather year-round, these projects will deliver lasting benefits for local communities.”
Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said:
“When Government listen to the community and put money into grassroots projects, good things happen and we’ve seen that time and time again in the Hunter.
“These groups are already making a difference on the ground and giving them another push just helps them to continue to do the work they know best.
“Strong communities drive strong regional economies, and these investments will help create a more active, inclusive and connected regional NSW.”
Member for Cessnock, Clayton Barr said:
“The Hunter is home to proud sporting clubs, strong community organisations and passionate local volunteers, and this funding will help them deliver projects that make a real difference close to home.
“These projects are delivering practical improvements across the community supporting local sporting organisations, community facilities and emergency preparedness, with projects funded including upgrades to Greta Central Oval Amenities, training and equipment and ground maintenance for Kurri Kurri Minor Rugby League, the Abermain Rams Football Field Rebirth Project and the Weston Workers Club Evacuation Centre.
“These projects invest in the places that bring our community together — supporting local clubs, improving community facilities, and strengthening our ability to respond in an emergency. I’m pleased to see this funding delivering practical benefits.”
Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison said:
“Initiatives like the Breakfast Library program have a monumental impact, not only on the lives of the children it supports, but on the strength and wellbeing of the wider community.
“Bringing together access to nutritious breakfasts with opportunities to develop literacy, build confidence and foster a love of reading creates a powerful foundation for children to thrive.
“This investment will help ensure children, particularly those who are vulnerable, have the nourishment, encouragement and support they need to arrive at school ready to learn.”
Member for Port Stephens, Kate Washington said:
“A million-dollar upgrade to Mallabula Sports Complex is awesome news for families on the Tilligerry Peninsula.
“I’m delighted to be delivering an upgrade which will provide locals with a modern, high-quality sporting facility, including a new international-size multipurpose competition field and upgraded infrastructure to meet the needs of our growing community.
“When it comes to increasing inclusion in sport, Wheelchair Sports NSW does wonderful work so I’m pleased to be backing them to bring their Adaptive Lawn Bowls Festival back to Raymond Terrace.”
Hunter, Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie Active Regional Communities project recipients:
| Recipient | Funding | Project | LGA |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW Rugby Union | $1,410,408 | Rugby World Cup Regional Activation Events | Multiple LGAs, including across the Hunter |
| Talk2mebro Incorporated | $1,000,000 | Talk2mebro Regional Outreach & Connection Program | Multiple LGAs, including across the Hunter |
| Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council | $1,000,000 | Gayiyayiba Community Precinct | Lake Macquarie City Council |
| Port Stephens Council | $999,880 | Mallabula Sports Complex Upgrades | Port Stephens Council |
| Biraban Local Aboriginal Land Council | $993,000 | Biraban LALCademy Stream 1 Land Management, Cultural Heritage, Skills to employment transition | Lake Macquarie City Council |
| Abermain Rams Football Club Inc. | $952,500 | Rams Football Field Rebirth Project | Cessnock City Council |
| Weston District Workers Co-operative Club Limited | $800,000 | Weston Workers Club – Meeting Spaces for Evacuation Centre and Community Inclusion, including transport | Cessnock City Council |
| Alcohol and Drug Foundation | $784,514 | Stronger Through Sport: Strengthening community participation through sport for at-risk youth | Multiple LGAs, including across the Hunter |
| Dungog Information and Neighbourhood Service | $743,200 | Dungog Community Hub Accessibility & Participation Project | Dungog Shire Council |
| Cessnock City Council | $400,000 | Greta Central Oval Amenities Building | Cessnock City Council |
| Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services Inc. | $202,000 | MVNS Community Connect | Mid-coast Council |
| Lake Macquarie City Football Club | $100,000 | Tredinnick Oval LED Lighting Upgrade to Increase Evening Training Capacity and Enable Safe, Inclusive Participation for a Growing Female Playing Group | Lake Macquarie City Council |
| Scone Hardcourt Tennis Association Incorporated | $100,000 | Urgent Lighting Safety Upgrade, Courts 5,6,7 Scone Tennis & Multi-Sport Precinct | Upper Hunter Shire Council |
| Mentor Walks | $100,000 | NSW Regional Women’s Mentor Walk & Talk Communities | Multiple LGAs, including across the Hunter |
| Volleyball NSW | $100,000 | NSW Beach Volleyball Tour – Regional Events, Workforce Development and Community Activation | Multiple LGAs, including across the Hunter |
| Gari Yala Aboriginal Cultural Fundraising Indigenous Corporation | $97,278 | Newcastle Womens Elders Group | Newcastle City Council |
| The Vines CC Foodcare | $96,782 | Enhancing Food Care’s services for the Upper Hunter | Muswellbrook Shire Council |
| The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF) | $95,000 | The Breakfast Library (Maitland City and Mid Coast) | Maitland City Council; Mid-coast Council |
| West Lakes Community Tennis Incorporated | $90,846 | Court resurface | Lake Macquarie City Council |
| Novaskill | $88,074 | Novaskill Building Futures: Mobile Carpentry Training for Regional Communities | Multiple LGAs, including across the Hunter |
| Trustee for Top Blokes Foundation | $84,341 | Strengthening Community Connection and Mentoring Support for Young Males in Dungog and Lake Macquarie | Dungog Shire Council; Mid-coast Council; Lake Macquarie City Council |
| Ride Dungog Mountain Bike Club Inc. | $81,325 | Trail Construction and Trailhead & Safety Signage to Support Safe Use and Ongoing Tourism at Dungog Mountain Bike Park | Dungog Shire Council |
| Morpeth Junior Rugby League Club INC | $67,858 | Bulls Girls & Pathways Player Development Program | Maitland City Council |
| Sher Foundation Ltd | $61,335 | Multicultural Active Bystander Program: Building CALD Youth Capability and Social Cohesion across Regional NSW | Multiple LGAs, including across the Hunter |
| Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT Incorporated | $36,000 | Adaptive Lawn Bowls Festival 2026 | Port Stephens Council |
| Lorn Park Bowls, Sports and Recreation Club | $31,343 | Shade and Seating Project | Maitland City Council |
| Mount George School of Arts Reserve Land Manager | $21,621 | Mount George Hall Community Facility Upgrade | Mid-coast Council |
| Dudley Redhead Junior RLFC | $21,100 | Secure Lockable Storage for Club Sheds and Canteen | Lake Macquarie City Council |
| Kurri Kurri Minor Rugby League Inc | $15,000 | Training Equipment and Ground Maintenance | Cessnock City Council |
| Wherrol Flat Tennis Club Incorporated | $14,500 | Wherrol Flat Tennis Club Incorporated | Mid-coast Council |