Community organisations benefit from changes to infrastructure charges

Community organisations are set to benefit from Council's latest change in infrastructure charges following adoption of the latest version of the Adopted Infrastructure Charges Resolution.

Mayor Greg Christensen said previously infrastructure charges were only 100 per cent waived for the developments established and operated by a non-profit entity on Council owned or controlled land.

"The new change adopted at today's Council meeting has expanded this to include community organisations on their own land," he said.

"The 100 per cent waiver will now also apply to community halls, show societies, community cemeteries, emergency services and historical societies.

"We recognise that not all these community groups hold non-profit status, and so were being disadvantaged by paying infrastructure fees on new developments.

"These groups play an important role in strengthening the fabric of our communities and by reducing some of their development costs, they can focus on delivering the important services to our residents.

"Any other not for profit organisations can make a separate request for discount and their applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with any relevant Council policies.

"One of the things that is assessed as part of this is if the community organisation has a commercial offering.

"The aim is to really try and support those types of community organisations, which have limited revenue opportunities, so limits may apply on the percentage or maximum value of any waiver given."

The new charges will take effect from 31 October 2020 and reflect the increase in infrastructure charges in accordance with the Schedule of amendments under the Planning Legislation (Fees and Other Amounts) Amendment Regulation 2020.

The amounts in schedule 16 (Prescribed Amount) have been adjusted to account for the latest producer price index for construction in accordance with PPI 6427.0, index number 3101 - Road and Bridge construction index for Queensland, published by the Australia Bureau of Statistics.