“Coffs Harbour Proposes Increase in Water Connection Charges for Developers”

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In a bid to align development charges with the true cost of connecting water to new builds, the City of Coffs Harbour is proposing an update to the Water Supply Development Servicing Plan (DSP). Currently, developers are charged $12,599 for water connection to a standard detached dwelling on an urban block. However, this charge has not been significantly updated since 2010, resulting in serviced residents subsidizing the actual cost of water connections to new developments.

The proposed plan aims to introduce a fairer user-pays system, where developers would bear the true cost of new water utility connections. Under the proposal, the DSP charge would be gradually raised to $17,828 over a three-year period. This phased implementation was endorsed by the Council during their recent meeting on March 14, 2024.

The updated developer services charges will now be placed on public exhibition for feedback, allowing stakeholders and the community to have their say on the proposed changes. The City of Coffs Harbour encourages residents to provide their opinions and suggestions during this exhibition period.

For more information or to provide feedback, residents can contact the City of Coffs Harbour via phone, email, online form, or in person at the Customer Service Centre. The Council values the input of the community and aims to ensure a transparent and inclusive decision-making process.

As this proposal moves forward, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the local development landscape and whether it leads to a more equitable distribution of costs between developers and existing residents.

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