Developer contributions

Development contributions are payments made by developers to enable Council to provide public amenities and services required for new residents and businesses. Contributions are imposed by way of a condition of development consent or complying development and can be satisfied by:

  • Dedication of land
  • A monetary contribution
  • A material public benefit or
  • A combination of some or all of the above.
The Sustainable Planning Act 2009 makes provision for Council to enter into voluntary planning agreements as the means through which these additional community facilities are provided. Under these agreements, Council enters into a legal contract with a developer to construct public facilities and infrastructure or provide public services as part of the conditions of development consent.

Trunk infrastructure policies

Developer contributions for trunk infrastructure are required under Planning Policies and are applicable to new development.  The intent of these charges is a user pay system.  Contributions are not applicable in all instances.  Copy of the policies and supporting detailed studies are available. 

Contributions may be payable for the following types of infrastructure.

  • Water Supply & Sewerage Headworks (for upgrading trunk infrastructure)
  • Stream Management (including Stream Mitigation & Water Quality)
  • Traffic Management (for upgrading of network road)
  • Community Purpose/Open Space
Other contributions include:
  • Car Parking - for alternative provision of parking in the Cairns CBD, Port Douglas and Mossman commercial areas
  • Public Art and
  • East Woree Development Strategy

Traffic Contributions Moratorium

Please note:  Cairns Regional Council has resolved to provide a moratorium on the payment of Infrastructure Charges for Road Network Contributions for non-residential development approved since July 2009 and completed by 30 June 2012.  The charges are respective to the type of contribution and are unique to each catchment area reflecting the amount and costs of works required in the catchment.  There are different catchments for each infrastructure type.  Most contributions are indexed quarterly.

Adopted Charges

The Queensland Government established an Infrastructure Charges Taskforce in early 2010. The Taskforce was tasked with identifying opportunities to simplify, standardise and streamline the infrastructure funding arrangements across Queensland.

The Taskforce released its recommendations in early 2011 with each being accepted by the State Government.  Amendments have recently been made to the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 providing legislative basis for establishing a regulated charging regime for Queensland.

The Amendments to the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 allowed the establishment of a State Planning Regulatory Provision – Adopted Charges (SPRP). The SPRP details the maximum charges Councils can charge for various development types. It also allows Councils to decide whether to adopt the proposed maximum charges or a lower amount.

In accordance with the SPRP, on 8 June 2011 Council resolved to adopt charges for residential development that are lower than the Adopted Charges rates, and has resolved to use the Adopted Charges rates for non-residential development.

A link to the full resolution can be accessed from the related links list on this page.

More information