AN increase to a housing estate on Catholic Church land north of Albury is among 24 projects getting a priority planning assessment from the NSW government.
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Member for Albury Justin Clancy said the latest stage of Ettamogah Rise, involving low density lots of 1500 square metres, may be fast-tracked to stimulate the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 downturn.
The $6.8 million project is forecast to result in 17 jobs.
If the residential development is deemed suitable for accelerated approval it will be decided by June 18 and if not its assessment will continue through standard processes.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Planning Minister Rob Stokes said the rapid approval process was designed to bolster an economy hit by fallout from the coronavirus.
News of that process emerging on Friday coincided with the federal government announcing help to reinvigorate local economies.
Funding for councils to spend on roads and other works was flagged with Albury receiving $883,074, Berrigan $877,527, Federation $1,396,532, Greater Hume $1,294,190, Lockhart 846,561, Snowy Valleys $871,816 and Wagga $2,050,700.
Albury City deputy chief executive for business, growth and community Tracey Squire told councillors this week a list of works was being formed in anticipation of government handouts.
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"We have...started to work through identifying some possible projects, if there is stimulus funding from state and federal government, that we could bring forward," Ms Squire said.
"(They are) projects where there already has been some community consultation, preliminary design and costing work and we've got a good appreciation of what those projects entail and how we might be able to fast-track them."
Government senator Jane Hume said infrastructure eligible for funding included bike tracks, walking trials and picnic shelters and barbecues found in civic parks.
While roadworks could include street lighting, bridges, tunnels and truck rest areas.
"Every single job we support makes a huge difference in our local communities, especially now as we navigate out of the coronavirus pandemic and recover from the summer's bushfires," Senator Hume said.
Member for Indi Helen Haines noted the funding followed her putting a list of civic works in her North East Victorian electorate to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack at a meeting last week.
"I'm pleased to see the Deputy Prime Minister has responded by boosting funding to local councils so they can start works on the projects, including those I advocated for," Dr Haines said.
