The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is recommending Blacktown City Council reduce its proposed local infrastructure contribution charges for the Riverstone East and Area 20 Precincts in Sydney's North West Growth Area.
The recommendations, contained in a report to the NSW Minister for Planning, would reduce the total cost of land, works and administration in the plan from $987.6 million to $832.7 million. This means a reduction of $155.0 million (15.7%).
Chair of IPART, Peter Boxall, said that while most of the land and works in the plan are essential to meet the local infrastructure needs generated by new development in the precincts, we have proposed amendments to the council's estimated costs of works.
"After reviewing the information provided by the council, we have identified ways to improve the estimated costs of providing transport, stormwater management and open space works for the new development areas," Dr Boxall said.
"We also found that the expected population in the precincts is higher than what the council had assumed in developing the plan. As a result, we recommend the council re-apportion the cost of providing infrastructure across the larger population. This means the cost for each residential lot or dwelling would be lower than otherwise.
"Additionally, the council needs to include
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