Reforms to deliver jobs and homes

The community is encouraged to have its say on detailed reforms to build a simple, clear and consistent infrastructure contributions system to unlock up to $12 billion in productivity gains for NSW.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said it was critical to reform the way local infrastructure is funded to attract jobs, investment and boost housing supply.

“These reforms will ensure that roads, parks, drainage and other infrastructure to support local communities are delivered faster and more efficiently,” Mr Stokes said.

“Whether you live in Penrith, Pyrmont, Wollongong or Wagga Wagga – these reforms will create a better system to deliver the infrastructure needed for liveable communities.”

“They’ll help councils borrow and use funds to speed up the delivery of projects, and they’ll shine more light on planning agreements to increase transparency.”

Mr Stokes said the reforms are the result of extensive consultation with experts, councils and industry, and respond to the NSW Productivity Commission’s review into infrastructure contributions.

“We’ve made the necessary changes based on the best advice, to design a fair system that will attract jobs and investment while delivering infrastructure for growing communities,” Mr Stokes said.

“No council will be worse-off, and they will have more choice over how they invest contributions to fund local infrastructure without the need to raise rates.

“I’d like to thank Local Government NSW President Linda Scott for advocating so effectively on behalf of councils, to answer questions and address issues raised.”

The proposed reforms include:

  • Giving councils more control over what type of local contributions plan they choose to apply to new developments;
  • Creating a separate and consistent Regional Infrastructure Contribution collected by the State Government to be applied in Greater Sydney, the Illawarra Shoalhaven, Lower Hunter and the Central Coast;
  • Requiring owners who benefit from their land being rezoned for development to contribute towards the provision of land for local infrastructure when their land is either sold or developed;
  • Greater transparency to make it easier for communities to access and understand Planning Agreements; and
  • Incentives for councils to fund infrastructure upfront, allowing them to borrow and pool their funds.
To read the Infrastructure Contributions Reform package and to have your say until Friday, 10 December 2021 visit the contributions reform web page.

/Public Release. View in full here.