Lake Macquarie council will deliver 49 community infrastructure projects sooner than planned, including playgrounds, road upgrades and shared paths.
The council has accelerated design and construction work on the projects as part of its economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The works are all projects in the council's developer contributions plans which may not have been delivered for a number of years.
Playgrounds recently opened at Taylor Park in Barnsley and Marks Oval in Floraville are among 10 play facilities being upgraded or established in the first $3 million stage of the accelerated works package.
Detailed design work is being completed on other projects, including walking and cycling paths in Cardiff, Glendale, Edgeworth and Cameron Park.
This includes paths from Ada Street to Myall Road, and Fifth Street to Harrison Street in Cardiff; and a 3.5-kilometre cycleway between Cameron Park and Glendale via Edgeworth.
A path from Edgeworth to Glendale via Winding Creek which will eventually extend to Cardiff is in early planning.
"These projects are strategically important to the city and provide considerable investment and public benefit," Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser said.
"While some have a timeline of up to 18 months to construction, 10 playground projects were fast-tracked in the initial response to the pandemic.
"Fast-tracking the design and construction of community infrastructure projects allows for new jobs and construction work to continue where possible.
"But it's more than just a new footpath or playground for our community. Building community infrastructure promotes growth and supports thriving communities."
The council is also designing road upgrades for the Gymea Drive and Myall Road intersection in Garden Suburb, the Main and Wallsend Road intersection in Cardiff Heights and along Minmi Road from Newcastle Link Road to Main Road in Edgeworth.
The accelerated works package was created in consultation with the Urban Development Institute of Australia and the Property Council of Australia.
