$1.5 billion in local infrastructure for Appin a step closer as IPART releases draft assessment of Appin Contributions Plan
Posted on: 06.12.2024
Council has welcomed the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPART) draft assessment of the Appin Contributions Plan which was released yesterday for public comment.
Council’s draft Appin Contributions Plan (Plan) meets 28 of 35 assessment criteria.
Mayor Matt Gould said, “This is good news for Council and the community. It’s a plan to provide $1.5 billion of vital local infrastructure, such as new parks, community facilities, local roads, cycleways and stormwater management to support new growth area communities around Appin.”
“Appin is one of the largest single growth areas to be released in Greater Sydney with no existing essential infrastructure to leverage development off. “
“Council’s position has consistently been that housing development in Appin is premature without a fully funded, binding infrastructure plan linked to the delivery of housing.”
“Providing local infrastructure for a new community comes with significant cost, so Council is looking to make sure this is in place before people move into the Growth Area.”
“I’d like to thank Council staff for their work on this important plan for ensuring the provision of adequate local infrastructure for our growing community.”
“Council will continue to work with IPART to address their recommendations.”
The draft Appin Contributions Plan was endorsed by Council on 25 June 2024, following a 38-day public exhibition period.
The draft Plan proposes a contribution of $84,933 per residential lot and $298,634 per ha of non-residential development. These contributions will be for transport, open space, stormwater management and community facilities land for a revised estimated population of 55,950 and 18,650 homes, over a 30-year period.
For Council to levy residential development more than the cap of $20,000 per lot, the draft Plan needs to go through IPART’s assessment process.
The Plan cannot unfortunately levy for the construction of community facilities such as libraries and community centres as this is not allowable under IPART guidelines.
With a contributions plan in place that has been reviewed by IPART, Council will be able to levy contributions above the cap once development commences.
The draft report validates Council’s position on the need for fit-for-purpose open space – especially well located new playing fields – to support growth.
Infrastructure for new growth areas is provided through a combination of State infrastructure such as water and sewer, major roads, public transport, schools and health services, and local infrastructure such as local roads, stormwater, parks, playing fields and community/recreational facilities, funded by developers through local infrastructure contributions to Council or by Council where it decides to do so.
Council reiterates its long-held position that large scale development in Appin is premature without a fully funded, binding infrastructure plan linked to the delivery of housing. Council is working with the NSW Government and land owners to seek to finalise a plan, but at this stage such a plan is not yet in place.
The report itself notes that several key documents are yet to have been prepared or published by the relevant State Government agencies, which will be used to inform and support future reviews of the contributions plan. However, IPART is proceeding to assess the Appin Contributions Plan on its merits.
Submissions to IPART close Friday 24 January 2025.
