More residential development at Dubbo could result from a proposed alternative payment scheme, a city planner says.
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A draft policy that would allow the deferred payment of contributions from developers of residential land subdivisions is up for consideration by Dubbo City Council.
It comes as the council continues to look at ways to ease Dubbo's housing squeeze.
The latest proposal could provide some relief for an industry hit by the Global Financial Crisis and its fallout.
Strategic planning supervisor Steven Jennings considered the deferred payment policy drafted "could present an appropriate balance between land release and the timely payment of contributions".
"If finally adopted, the policy would provide further assistance to developers of residential development and perhaps facilitate additional residential development in the city," he said in his report to this week's works and services committee meeting.
The caveat included in the draft Policy for Deferred Payment of Developer Contributions for Residential Subdivision would require payment to the council prior to settlement of the sale of land to a third party.
The developer would bear all costs associated with preparation and registration of an agreement and pay an administration fee to the council to keep the policy cost neutral, Mr Jennings said in his report.
He said a request had been received from Delroy Park Pty Ltd to consider an alternative payment scheme for developer contributions.
"The request highlights a common theme in the development industry of the tightening of financial requirements following the Global Financial Crisis and the inherent requirements of the finance industry," he said.
His recommendation to adopt the draft policy for the purposes of public exhibition with a further report to come to the council was unanimously endorsed by the committee.
Councillor Ben Shields said it would give developers more options and was almost like a "pay-as-you-go" system.
Committee chairwoman Lyn Griffiths said the alternative payment scheme was consistent with a review of the Dubbo Residential Areas Development Strategy undertaken by consultants Hill PDA last year.
"This draft policy is another example of council responding to business needs with a proposal and seeking input of the community," she said.
"The draft policy will add further flexibility for developers of residential land to manage their financial commitments."
The draft policy includes contributions required to be made under council's Section 64 Water and Sewerage Contributions Policy, Dubbo Section 94 Contributions Plan Open Space and Recreation Facilities, Section 94 Contributions Plan Urban Stormwater Drainage Headworks Contributions and Section 94 Contributions Plan Roads, Traffic Management and Car Parking.
The recommendation will be considered at the ordinary council meeting on Monday.