Updated contributions plan sets guidelines for funding new projects

The latest update is used to guide how much property developers, and through them people who buy land in new subdivisions around Orange, contribute towards new infrastructure projects.

Orange City Council’s Planning & Development Committee chair Cr Russell Turner believes it’s important that community members understand how proposed major projects , such as a new sports precinct and new road upgrades are funded.

“When it comes to long-term infrastructure, such as new sporting fields or a major new roundabout on the bypass, it’s fair that the families who are buying land to build houses, make a financial contribution,” Cr Russell Turner said. “The Contributions Plan is a complex document, but it’s essentially about working out how much money these new projects are costing and then sharing that total amount between the number of new building blocks.”

“This amount varies across Orange, from a minimum of about $10,000 per block up to the top limit of $20,000 that’s capped by the NSW Government. Eventually, once new houses are built, residents will make a contribution to the city through the rates they’ll pay, but in the meantime they a contributing a share towards the costs of the roads, parks and stormwater basins.”

The Contributions Plan also aims to ensure there are enough building sites to meet the future demand.

“The plan estimates that by 2026, the community of Orange will need at extra 3,437 dwellings compared to where we were in 2009”, Cr Turner said. “On average since the 1990s we’ve been having around 242 new blocks a year so we’re right on track to meet that target.”

“It’s a balancing act between supply and demand, and there’s been peaks and troughs in recent years. In 2015/16 346 new blocks were created, but from the conversations I’ve had this week with builders and developers there are signs that currently there’s a shortage of new building blocks.”

“On one hand making a judgement about the demand for new blocks, is up to developers, but by putting this plan on display, the council is putting the information out there for the business community to make its decisions.”

“It’s important that as community we all own the implications of this contributions plan. People can check out the detail online and then have their say by making a submission. “

See more and download the document at : www.orange.nsw.gov.au/dcp