Council reduces development fees
30 June 2015Fees charged to Waipa property developers to help pay for essential infrastructure have been reduced.
The fee reduction applies to the whole district with the exception of Cambridge north.
The fees, known as development contributions, are paid by property developers to councils. They help pay for infrastructure like roads and water systems which are are needed for developments to proceed. The fees ensure developers pay their share of growth-related project costs instead of the full burden falling on ratepayers.
In November last year, the council proposed changing its development contributions policy to reduce fees for commercial, industrial and retail developments. The reduction aimed to help support economic growth in the district as well as better reflect areas of benefit.
An increase in developments fees for Cambridge north was also proposed to reflect the cost of specific growth-related projects needed to support new housing developments in that area.
For the last three months, council staff have been consulting on the proposed new fee structure, including talking directly to property developers.
Nine submissions on the proposed changes were received with seven submitters speaking directly to councillors. As a result of those discussions, some changes were made to the original proposals.
The new development contributions policy was signed off at the Waipa District Council meeting today (Tuesday June 30) and comes into effect immediately.
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