Security bonds

Council charges security bonds (payable in cash, cheque or bank guarantee only) for Operational works:

Construction Security Bond

5% of the estimated cost of the construction/works, prepared and certified by the consulting engineer. Refundable when works have achieved Works Acceptance.

Defects Liability Bond

5% of the value of the works. Kept for twelve months or until Council grants Final Works Acceptance. Refundable upon formal acceptance of the development works and transfer of all applicable infrastructure to Council.

Uncompleted Works Bond

Held to cover the costs of uncompleted development works, generally in order to obtain early approval of plans of subdivision (also known as survey plans). Refundable when works have achieved Works Acceptance.

Bond return or reduction

Following a satisfactory Final Acceptance Inspection, the consulting engineer will submit a written request to Council for Final Acceptance of the works and release the Defects Liability Bond.  This formal request must consist of a written submission outlining the reasons for the bond return or reduction.

The minimum details to be included in the request are as follows:

• Real property description of development;
• Council file reference for development;
• Bond amount originally lodged with Council;
• Name of Trading Bank (Bank Guarantee Bond only);
• Council receipt number (Cash/Cheque Bonds only); and
• Date when the original bond was lodged with Council.

To request the return of a cash bond, please complete the Bond Return Payment Request Form ( PDF, 0.1 MB ) and submit to Planning Administration. Note: this form is only for development bond returns and cannot be used for refunds or other transactions.