Council Adopts Development and Financial Contributions Policy
Following an extended consultation process and input from numerous submitters including speakers during public hearings, Council recognised the need for a more balanced approach to managing and enabling growth across the District.
At today’s Council meeting (Thursday, 17 April), deliberations were held ahead of the final adoption of the Development and Financial Contributions Policy. Council resolved:
that Council adopts the Development and Financial Contributions Policy (Option 2). The costs of projects in Schedule 2 – Future Assets of the Policy have been assessed as either growth-related, levels of service-related, or renewals-related. The growth related costs are fully funded from Development Contributions. The levels of service-related costs and the renewals costs are funded from General Rates.
Development contributions are fees charged to individuals or entities that subdivide land, typically for the purpose of constructing new homes or commercial buildings. Until now, 100% of the costs for Council projects that support growth have been funded through these contributions. This approach was based on the rationale that developers generate the demand for such infrastructure and benefit directly from it, and therefore should bear the associated costs.
Following an extended consultation process and input from numerous submitters including speakers during public hearings, Council recognised the need for a more balanced approach to managing and enabling growth across the District.
The new development contribution fees will come into effect on Friday, 18 April 2025. Council fees and charges are reviewed annually, and the Development and Financial Contributions Policy is included as part of this annual review.
Council extends its sincere thanks to all members of the community who provided feedback throughout this consultation process.