The fund, promoting economic development in Australia’s Regions, was for infrastructure projects, with more than 400 applications received from across the country and just 51 projects funded.

Although disappointed, Shoalhaven City Council general manager Russ Pigg said council would apply for the second round of funding.

Council pitched for $2.3 in funding for a $4.6 million project for infrastructure work at the Albatross Aviation Technology Park.

Council proposed to provide half the funding for the project, designed to improve the firefighting capacity in the water system for the park.

“We wanted to extend water mains, install extra pumps and build two new reservoirs to have greater water capacity on site,” Mr Pigg said.

He said under the National Stronger Regions Fund each organisation was only able to make one application.

“The competition was pretty fierce,” Mr Pigg said.

“I know they received 405 applications in round one, asking for $1.21 billion for projects, and from what I understand approved $200 million for 50 projects.

“So there are a lot of other disappointed applicants out there just like us, with over $1 billion dollars in projects not funded.”

In round one, Mr Pigg said the only successful local project in the region between Wollongong and Bega, was not for profit organisation Flagstaff for a project at Unanderra.

Applications for the second round of funding close at the end of July. Mr Pigg said council staff and council would be discussing what project to put forward.