Image: Contributions by developers help Council to fund local infrastructure works associated with new developments where appropriate, such as parks.
Shoalhaven City Council has joined other NSW Councils and called on the NSW Government to withdraw proposed infrastructure contribution rule changes from Parliament which could see the nature of these important contributions change. These contributions by developers help fund critical local infrastructure works associated with new developments where appropriate.
Concerns about the NSW infrastructure contributions reforms were discussed at the Council's Ordinary Meeting in August. This followed the NSW Government's introduction of the Environment, Planning and Assessment Amendment (Infrastructure Contributions) Bill 2021 into the NSW Parliament in June 2021.
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley said infrastructure contributions were paid by developers to help local governments to fund local infrastructure such as roads, parks, stormwater management, community facilities and other important works.
"On behalf of the Shoalhaven City Council, I call upon the NSW Government to withdraw the Environment, Planning and Assessment Amendment (Infrastructure Contributions) Bill 2021 and undertake further consultation with the local government sector on the proposed reforms", Clr Findley said.
"Supporting sustainable growth and development in Shoalhaven is a priority for Council, however these proposed reforms have the potential to place a significant future burden on Council to fund the local infrastructure works associated with new developments in the region", Clr Findley stated.
"I am deeply concerned that the changes before the NSW Parliament present an unacceptable shifting of costs from development to local ratepayers. Our ratepayers should not be left footing the bill to provide critical local supporting infrastructure such as and roads and parks", Clr Findley said.
Council has also written to NSW Government Ministers and others outlining the Council's concerns about the proposed reforms.
