2014-01-28 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                            28 JANUARY 2014


To qualify for a rebate, the type of organisation and the purpose of development must both be
satisfied. The current level of rebates ranges from:

    100% for community, sporting, recreation, lifesaving or religious community/youth or
     meeting facilities component;
    30% for social, entertainment, gaming or liquor facilities component;
    50% for non-state or religious schools; and
    Nil for religious worship.

It is proposed that the policy continue to apply to the Noosa area under a Noosa Council policy
however, with the following amendments:

1.   Clarify that rebates will not apply to normal independent living type residential
     developments such as standard retirement villages and other affordable living development
     for rental purposes undertaken by not for profit community organisations. These types of
     developments are not considered as community type projects for use or access by the
     general public and with the increasing involvement of large not for profit organisations
     undertaking such development, it would be appropriate to clarify Council’s position in the
     policy regarding such projects.

2.   Clarify that rebates do not apply to the Water Supply and Sewerage networks under the
     control of Unitywater.

3.   Remove the rebates applying to social, entertainment, gaming or liquor facilities as these
     elements could be seen as gaining an unfair advantage compared to normal business uses
     of this nature that have to pay the full charges. It could also be viewed that community
     rebates should not be provided to uses that have potential to cause social problems within
     the community.

A proposed draft Noosa Council Policy is provided in Attachment 1. A copy of the document
showing proposed amendments to the “Sunshine Coast Regional Council Policy: Adopted
Infrastructure Charges Resolution (No.4) 2011” can be provided to Councillors if requested.

Internal consultation on this issue has been undertaken with the Interim Director Organisational
Services, Financial Services Coordinator and Coordinator Development Assessment.

BUDGET & FINANCIAL ASPECTS

The issue presented in this report has bearing on the potential revenue to be collected from
development undertaken by community organisations and impacts the budgetary constraints
associated with the provision of “trunk” infrastructure.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the report by the Priority Infrastructure Planning and Infrastructure Charges
Officer to the Planning & Organisation Committee dated 28 January 2014 and adopt its policy for
“Infrastructure Charges Rebates for Community Organisations” (provided at Attachment 1 to the
report) to replace the Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s Policy Statement: “Infrastructure
Contributions (Charges) Rebates for Eligible Community Organisations” applying to development
governed by The Noosa Plan.


ATTACHMENTS
1.  Policy - Infrastructure Charges Rebates for Community Organisations


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