The State Government is in the midst of finalising its proposed reform package to infrastructure planning, charging and offsetting arrangements in Queensland. From what is known to date, the key proposed reforms are:

-On-going requirement for Local Government’s to prepare a PIP-like document, albeit rebranded as a Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP);

-Ability to adopt a ‘fair value’ charge representing a 10% discount to the current SPRP for Residential and a 15% discount for Non-Residential;

-In adopting the ‘fair value’ charge, Council’s will be in a position to receive co-funding from the State (administered by EDQ) towards larger infrastructure items (details on the mechanics of how this will work have not been presented to date);

-Deeming of trunk infrastructure – where not identified in Council’s PIP (or LGIP), conditioned infrastructure can be challenged by a Developer as being deemed trunk infrastructure if it fits certain tests.

-Cross-crediting – where a Developer may have accrued  credits in one infrastructure network, they will be allowed to use these credits against another network. However there will not be cross-crediting between local governments and water distributor retailers.

-Actual Value for offsets must be applied to a Development if requested by the Developer.

The entire reform package is still in a draft form, and is yet to be passed through Parliament. It is evident that the new regime will require further detail such as supporting guidelines to clearly demonstrate how these new provisions will be executed.

Integran has been involved in the consultation with the State during drafting and is participating and attending a number of forums in regards to the infrastructure charges reform over the coming weeks.

Should you wish to know further information on how these new
reforms may impact your project, please do not hesitate to contact Integran on (07) 3227 0500.