DEVELOPERS could be slugged with higher charges to connect to Tamworth water and sewer services, as council reviews its current model.
Councillor Glenn Inglis raised concerns the changes could result in a “substantive increase” and called for independent advice on the potential implications of the proposal.
He said the changes would have hypothetically had a huge impact on the recent DA for a $42 million aged care facility to be built in Moore Creek.
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“Just by way of example, the potential impacts there, you’ve got a matter on the business paper … if you crunch the numbers for that potential development with the new numbers, you are looking at approximately a $1.6 million increase,” Cr Inglis said.
“For any new 100-block subdivision, in the Hills Plain non-pressure area, which is the bulk of what’s left in Hills Plain, it would add approximately $2.5 million to the cost of that development.
“They are significant numbers.”
Should the charges, as recommended, be adopted, a cross-subsidy is proposed for the water supply and sewerage developer charges in Bendemeer, Attunga, Nundle, Barraba, Manilla, Kootingal and Moonbi.
Councils will place the draft development servicing plans on public exhibition, seeking comments from interested parties.
Cr Inglis said the other big issue was around the impact on future development.
“Hills Plain is only about one-third of the way through; it was always designated as a 30-year key residential zone to ensure balance in relation to the development of the city, especially in relation to the CBD,” he said.
“We don’t want things to slow up out there, we want them to continue on and achieve that original vision and dream.
“I believe we need to get out to the public and see what they think.
“I’ve got a fairly strong feeling I know what we’re going to be told.”
Juanita Wilson said it was a very complex issue for council and wanted Tamworth to remain ahead of its regional rivals.
“It’s also important to maintain Tamworth’s competitive edge,” Cr Wilson said.
“We need to stay competitive with the Wagga Waggas and the Oranges and Dubbos.”
The draft plan will go on public exhibition from April 26, 2018, to June 7, 2018, and accept written submissions during the exhibition period.
Following the exhibition period, the submissions will be collated in a further report and considered by council.
Jacob McArthur
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
