COVID 19 - Economic Financial Assistance
Published on 30 April 2020
Shoalhaven City Council is committed to stimulating the Shoalhaven’s economy, during what is a trying time. Following the devastating bushfires, the region is now facing another economic crisis due to the current COVID-19 climate.
At Tuesday’s 28 April Ordinary Meeting, Councillors resolved to provide greater financial support to development within the region, to aid in stimulating the economy.
Director of Planning, Environment & Development Phil Costello said this would not only help to stabilise the economy but also ensure the region's essential developments are delivered on time.
“Council will waive pre-lodgement meeting fees regarding Development Applications, which will give those proposing complex developments the opportunity to gain Council advice in the preparation stages of the project without the usual charge, ” Mr Costello said.
“Further to this, Council will also be discounting Development Application fees by fifty per cent. This is a significant saving and applies to all forms of Development Applications. Additionally, Council is offering refunds to developers for any proposal that will result in the creation of employment, or places of employment, such as new retail buildings, buildings of a commercial nature and industrial buildings. The refund is equivalent to 50% of the levied developer contributions and is payable when a project reaches 25% completion”.
Shoalhaven City Council’s CEO Stephen Dunshea, says these assistance measures aim to encourage as much economic development activity in the Shoalhaven as possible. “The region is facing unprecedented times, off the back of the devastating 2019 /2020 bushfires, our disaster response and recovery actions have expanded to also deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“I believe that these Development adjustments will see infrastructure in the region, public and private, continue to grow. This will not only support our local economy but also provide valuable assets for the community,” Mr Dunshea said.
“These are not the only measures Council is implementing to assistance the community through this time, with council also committing to provide financial relief for ratepayers to the extent of $300 in 2020/21, ” Mr Dunshea said. Details of this further financial assistance will be presented to the May Strategy & Assets Committee meeting.
The now adopted Development financial assistance changes are as follows.
- Pre lodgement meeting fees regarding Development Applications will be waived.
- Development Application fees will be discounted by fifty per cent for all development applications.
- An amendment will be prepared to the Shoalhaven Contributions Plan 2019 to adjust the contribution rate for boarding houses.
- Council will be offering refunds of up to 50% of developer contribution charges for employment generating proposals that reach 25% completion within 2 years of issue of development consent.