PUPPETS, $4 million for a a transport interchange and a Lake Macquarie art trail are among the Hunter's wins in the latest round of a federal funding commitment.
Port Stephens Council will clinch more than $4 million from the Building Better Regions Fund to develop a tourism transport interchange at the Birubi Point Aboriginal Place and Worimi Conservation Lands.
It is one of the biggest winners in the latest round of the funding revealed on Friday morning.
Lake Macquarie City Council will get $85,000 for an extension to its Creative LAKE art trail, allowing it to stretch around the northern shore, while Curious Legends Limited will get more than $30,000 towards a site-specific cultural performance with puppets for Newcastle's New Annual festival.
Hollie Hughes, the Liberal patron senator for the Hunter, said the money would deliver services and infrastructure the region deserved.
"We are backing these projects so local people have the facilities for the future, while creating jobs to boost our economic recovery," he said.
The fifth round of the fund committed almost $300 million to 295 projects.
The government estimates it will create 9900 jobs, taking the fund's total spend to $1.38 billion across almost 1300 projects.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the latest round included an extra $100 million.
"This extra funding will support more projects, more jobs, and create more economic opportunities in our regions to boost their recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
"Funding under the Building Better Regions Fund supports economic and social infrastructure for the long-term benefit of regional communities.
"Infrastructure upgrades funded in this latest round will ensure our regions remain great places to live and visit, while helping support important regional industries which create jobs."
