Development Contributions

Development contributions are payments or land dedications made by developers to help fund the local infrastructure and services needed as a result of new development.
Under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act), Council collects contributions through:

  • Section 7.11 contributions plans (formerly Section 94)

  • Planning Agreements (Voluntary Planning Agreements – VPAs)

The amount is based on the type, location and cost of the development and is levied through Development Applications (DAs) and Complying Development Certificates (CDCs), including those issued by accredited private certifiers.
Funds are allocated to capital projects in line with the works schedule in the relevant contributions plan or VPA.

Section 7.11 Contributions Plan

Section 7.11 of the EP&A Act allows Council to grant development consent on the condition that the applicant:

  • dedicates land free of cost, and/or

  • makes a monetary contribution to Council

This condition can be imposed when a development will, or is likely to, create the need for new or upgraded local infrastructure.

Key points:

  • Contributions (land or money) must be used for the provision, extension or upgrade of local infrastructure, or to recoup the cost of such works.

  • The Coolamon Shire Section 7.11 Contributions Plan applies to:

    • Residential development (including subdivision) that increases demand for local infrastructure in Coolamon town

    • Heavy haulage developments that place significant impacts on rural roads

  • The plan is prepared under the EP&A Act and Regulation 2000, with regard to the latest NSW Department of Planning and Environment practice notes.

The plan includes:

  • A schedule of development types subject to contributions and their rates

  • Location maps and a works schedule with estimated costs and staging

  • An explanation of the relationship between expected growth and the local infrastructure required

  • Administrative and accounting arrangements for levies collected

View the Coolamon Shire Council Section 7.11 Contributions Plan

Planning Agreements (Voluntary Planning Agreements – VPAs)

A Planning Agreement is a voluntary agreement between a developer and Council.
Through a VPA, a developer may provide (instead of, or in addition to, Section 7.11 contributions):

  • Land or monetary contributions

  • Community facilities or affordable housing

  • Transport or other infrastructure

  • Funding for the ongoing maintenance of these facilities or infrastructure

  • Environmental conservation or enhancement

  • Monitoring of the planning impacts of development

Planning Agreements are usually entered into in connection with a development application or an amendment to the Local Environmental Plan (LEP).

Resources:

This updated content provides a plain-language explanation of how development contributions and planning agreements work in Coolamon Shire while retaining all statutory detail for developers, consultants and the community.