The community will soon be invited to provide feedback on the new Contributions Plan for Shoalhaven, which will enable Council to levy new development to help fund vital infrastructure in the Shoalhaven.
The new Draft Contributions Plan 2026 will be placed on public exhibition in mid-February after it was endorsed for community feedback by Council at Tuesday night's Ordinary Meeting.
Mayor Patricia White said the plan details how individuals and organisations undertaking a development will provide financial contributions, to support the delivery of essential infrastructure that will be required to meet the needs of the city's growing population.
"The contributions plan is one of the most important tools we have to ensure new development contributes fairly to the roads, parks, facilities and services our community depends on. Currently, Council is covering a far greater share of infrastructure costs than previously envisaged," Cr White said.
"The new plan incorporates more accurate land and construction costs and sets realistic, achievable timeframes, while taking into consideration Council's current financial position," she said.
"I encourage community members to review the draft plan and provide feedback to ensure it reflects both local priorities and the realities of future development," she said.
It's anticipated there will be an additional 24,530 people living in Shoalhaven in 2046. The draft Contributions Plan identifies 40 local infrastructure projects including recreation, roads and community facilities, costing an estimated $247 million (excluding grants) to support growth and development in Shoalhaven.
Planning for Shoalhaven's future infrastructure needs that are associated with development have been informed by a range of current and emerging plans, strategies and policies prepared by both the NSW Government and Council.
The draft Plan has been designed so that it can be adjusted in the future and continue to respond to planned development.
To respond to future growth and its needs, Section 7.12 contributions are proposed to be introduced as part of the Draft Contributions plan for the first time in Shoalhaven. Section 7.12 is a fixed rate levy applied to certain forms of development and charged as a percentage of the estimated cost of development. The Section 7.12 contributions will work alongside the 7.11 contributions as funds for local infrastructure.
The community will soon have an opportunity to provide feedback on the Draft new Contributions Plan via Council's Get Involved webpage.
Community members who wish to speak to Council staff in-person about the plan are welcome to attend an upcoming drop-in information session. Information about the sessions will be made available shortly on Council's Get Involved webpage.
