IPART – the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal – has given its nod of approval to Wollondilly Shire Council’s Appin Growth Area contributions plan.
The council proposes to levy a contribution rate of around $85,000 for a typical house.
In total, council would raise around $1.54 billion in contributions from developers over the life of the Appin Growth Area Contributions Plan, which is expected to span more than 30 years.
IPART has today released a draft report on its review of Wollondilly Shire Council’s approach.
In the report, IPART says the council will use the contributions it collects to fund open space, stormwater management, and transport infrastructure, as well as land acquisitions needed to support development in the precinct.
IPART says in the report that it had found that most of the infrastructure in the plan is largely essential and reasonable, and that community liaison has occurred.
However, IPART has made recommendations that the council revise its methodology for deriving open space costs and choices of indexation, and to amend errors in the works schedule.
Other recommendations that IPART has made relate to future changes that are likely to be required following finalisation of further supporting documentation, making adjustments for any grant funding received following the adoption of the plan, and the inclusion of a land acquisition allowance.
“We have made draft recommendations that the council amend errors in the works schedule and revise its choices of indexation and methodology for deriving open space costs,’’ says IPART in the draft report.
“We have also recommended that the council review a number of aspects of the plan prior to their next submission to IPART, adjust the cost of works for any grant funding received, and review the inclusion of land acquisition allowance costs.’’
To read the full draft report click this link: https://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/cm9_documents/Draft-Report-Assessment-of-Appin-Growth-Area-Contributions-Plan-Wollondilly-Shire-Council-December-2024.
Those wishing to make submissions regarding the draft report can do so from the report. Submissions will close January 24 next year.
