31 March 2016

Media Release

Tasman to Review Development Charges

The Tasman District Council will review the way it charges developers for the infrastructure needed because of growth.

Councils are able to charge developers and those building new homes “development contributions” to recover the costs associated with providing infrastructure such as roading, water, wastewater and stormwater for growth and development.

Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne says that currently the Council charges development contributions on a “single-catchment” basis – meaning the charges are the same for all urban areas in the District.

“We’re going to look at whether a ‘multi-catchment’ approach will be a fairer way to apportion the costs of growth across the development community. That’s because the cost of providing infrastructure to cater for population growth is not the same in Takaka, for example, as it is in Motueka, or Richmond.

“We also want to examine whether we can encourage higher-density housing in some parts of the District by offering a reduction in charges for that type of development, and whether we should be charging less if developers invest in major infrastructure themselves that can then service other land.”

The Council will review its existing Development Contributions Policy this year, before consulting on proposed changes in early 2017. A new policy is expected to be in place by July 2017.

ENDS

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