Cumberland Council

07/20/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/19/2021 17:07

New Infrastructure Contributions Bill lacks transparency The State Government’s proposed changes to the collection of developer contributions and setting of infrastructure[...]

The State Government's proposed changes to the collection of developer contributions and setting of infrastructure contributions policy is vague, lacks detail and has left many councils in NSW confused about its full impact.

Our Mayor Steve Christou said just like the State Governments Covid messaging, the state's proposal intentionally lacked detail and kept councils and the community in the dark.

'The Bill is too vague and delegates authority solely to the minister and defers all future policy decisions to the Minister. This is a very dangerous precedent,' Mayor Christou said.

'We believe that it will detrimentally change the way local infrastructure is funded and delivered and will ultimately cost the community more. 'To take away such an important funding source from local councils, then proclaim councils can make up that revenue from raising rates on their residents is extremely short-sighted and a slap in the face for hard working Australians. 'If this proposal goes through, Cumberland City Council residents will be hit the hardest as our community is one of the most vulnerable and poorest in NSW.'

The Parliamentary Inquiry into the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Infrastructure Contributions) Bill 2021 heard from several councils last week.

'It's difficult for councils to even have a position on this Bill because it has very little detail, so it's impossible to determine how that will impact councils and the community.

'One thing we can be certain of this bill will not have a positive impact on our local community'.