Draft Snowy Monaro Section 7.12 Local infrastructure Contributions Plan and Draft Voluntary Planning Agreement and Land Dedication Policy

Thank you to everyone who provided input into our draft Snowy Monaro Section 7.12 Local infrastructure Contributions Plan and draft Voluntary Planning Agreement and Land Dedication Policy, before Sunday 22 May 2022.

Draft Section 7.12 Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan

Council has prepared a Draft Section 7.12 (formerly 94A) Local Infrastructure Contributions (LIC) Plan which is proposed to apply to all land within the Snowy Monaro Local Government Area (LGA), excluding the area to which the adopted Michelago LIC now applies. Council requires a contemporary, consolidated and consistent approach to Local Infrastructure Contributions across the LGA to ensure that we are able to meet our obligations under the plans and the infrastructure demands of future growth.

The proposed Plan would replace and repeal the following Plans which are outdated and no longer fit for purpose.

• Bombala section 94A Contributions Plan 2008
• Cooma-Monaro section 94 Development Contributions Plan 2005
• Snowy River section 94 Development Contributions Plans 2008
• Yarrowlumla section 94 Development Contributions Plan 1994

Section 7.12 is the Section of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 that permits Council to collect contributions from those undertaking development. The contribution under Section 7.12 must be a monetary contribution and must be authorised by a Section 7.12 LIC Plan prepared by Council.

Contribution rates are specified by legislation. It is a percentage of the proposed cost of carrying out the development:

Example:

• I am building a new home. The certified estimated cost of development is $400,000.00
• The applicable percentage is 1%
• Required Contribution Payable is $4,000 plus GST
• The levy is used to help provide public infrastructure, amenities and services. Appendix E in the draft plan details the types of works that the levy is allocated towards

Draft Voluntary Planning Agreement and Land Dedication Policy

A Voluntary Planning Agreements (VPA) and Land Dedication Policy sets out Council’s position relating to VPAs and guides the process when Council enters into a planning agreement with a Developer that provides funds, works in kind or land dedication as an alternative or in addition to Local Infrastructure Contributions. Historically, Council has accepted land that offers little or no public benefit or is difficult and expensive to maintain. This policy will ensure that future acceptance of land will be provisional to the functionality and public benefit of the dedicated land.

Council is expected to experience an increased use of VPAs as growth occurs, and projects such as the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct (SAP) generates a need for more development. Therefore, a robust framework and criteria that will address Council’s and community needs are necessary to justify entering into a VPA. The draft policy forms a basis for sound decision-making that will provide a public benefit above and beyond the Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan. Criteria within the draft policy establishes the requirements that dedicated land or other VPA contributions must meet. The framework will ensure a consistent approach to Council’s dealing of VPAs, providing confidence to the community of Council’s leadership.

Feedback may be submitted any time during the exhibition period, by completing the below survey or in writing via:

Email council@snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au

Post: Addressed to the CEO, PO Box 714, Cooma, NSW, 2630.

If you have any questions relating to the draft documents please phone our customer service line 1300 345 345.