Council has drafted two works-in-kind policies and supporting guidelines for Local Infrastructure Contributions that will help ensure quality infrastructure, value for money and increased transparency when assessing requests for infrastructure works in lieu of Development Contributions.

These drafted policies and guidelines deliver on recommendations outlined in an audit report by the NSW Auditor General in August 2020 and include input gathered during Council staff consultation and legal advice.

The policies and supporting guidelines identify clear assessment protocols for the lodgement and consideration of requests to undertake infrastructure works in lieu of Development Contributions.

They also seek to minimise risks such as works not meeting required specifications, and include measures such as:

• Undertaking of independent valuations for proposed works-in-kind; and
• Guidelines embedded in operational procedures within Council to ensure infrastructure is constructed to relevant Council standards and consistency with adopted Development Contribution Plans and/or Developer Servicing Plans.

Submissions were invited between Friday 19 March and Friday 16 April 2021.

Something you need to know: Under the Government Information (Public Access) Act, 2009 (GIPA ACT), members of the public can seek access to the submissions and council cannot give assurance that the document will remain confidential.