Shoalhaven City Council Says No to Contributions Cash Grab

Shoalhaven City Council has added its voice to the local government sector’s statewide fight against changes to planning rules which could see growing communities miss out on the local infrastructure needed to support increased housing and development.

Council is calling on the NSW Government to scrap the proposed rule changes and work collaboratively with councils.

Council is also encouraging the community to make their voice heard by signing an online petition.

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley said the NSW Government had yet to back down on proposed rule changes impacting infrastructure contributions by developers, which would see critical funding designed to support infrastructure for local growth funnelled into State coffers instead.

“Infrastructure contributions are made by developers as a critical funding measure for footpaths, cycleways, parks, playgrounds, playing fields, skate parks, basketball courts, libraries, childcare centres and public pools – even street lighting, stormwater and drainage facilities,” Clr Findley said.

“The rule changes proposed by the NSW Government would reduce the type of community infrastructure that could be funded by developer contributions, resulting in the community having to shoulder the burden of this infrastructure instead.

“In Shoalhaven City Council area alone, the financial impact of this rule change could be upwards of $70 million lost to the community.

“The people of the Shoalhaven deserve to have a say in how planning rules impact on them, and that’s why we need to take a stand against this move.”

“Councils across NSW have already passed motions condemning the move and I am pleased to say Shoalhaven City Council is adding its voice to the fight,” Clr Findley said.

“Regional councils are experiencing significant tree- and sea-change growth, particularly in the wake of COVID pandemic lockdowns, so these proposed rule changes have everyone deeply concerned”, Clr Findley said.

Clr Findley said a ‘Say No to The Contributions Cash Grab’ campaign was being rolled out through NSW’s peak body for councils, Local Government NSW, across the state through social and mainstream media.

/Public Release. View in full here.