Reduction in developer contributions for North Kellyville
Developers could pay around $16,000 less for the development of local infrastructure in the western Sydney suburb of North Kellyville, as a result of recommendations by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
Developers currently pay a capped amount of $50,000 per typical house in North Kellyville, which goes towards providing local infrastructure such as roads, cycleways, stormwater facilities, parks and sporting facilities. IPART recommends that future developers pay around $34,000 per typical house.
Our assessment ensures that developers pay the reasonable cost of providing local infrastructure required by new developments in North Kellyville. We found that the council has already collected most of what it needs to pay for this infrastructure, both from existing development and State Government funding.
Development in North Kellyville will provide $74.1 million towards transport infrastructure, including upgrades of Hezlett Road, Withers Road, Samantha Riley Drive and Glenhaven Road. A further $51.4 million will pay for parks and sporting facilities in North Kellyville, including the Stringer Road Sports Complex and Samantha Riley Drive Reserve.
The council last estimated developer contributions in North Kellyville in 2011. Since then, population estimates have increased and planning for the precinct has progressed. We found that most of the infrastructure proposed by the council is needed, and the council’s cost estimates are mostly reasonable. IPART’s Final Report has been sent to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces. The Minister will consider our recommendations and advise the council of the changes it needs to make to its plan. After the council makes the changes and adopts the plan, developers can be charged the new, lower contribution rate.
The Final Report for IPART’s review of The Hills Shire Council’s Contributions Plan No.13 North Kellyville Precinct is available here.