NSW's plan for contributions reform and developer levies

The NSW Government has outlined its plan to reform developer levies and contributions to unlock new housing supply, deliver vital community infrastructure and boost investment in NSW.

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes today announced he had appointed Productivity Commissioner Peter Achterstraat to undertake a review of the current contributions and provide recommendations for a new system by the end of the year.

“Our pathway forward includes a mix of quick wins and longer-term reforms, which will ensure NSW remains the economic powerhouse of Australia," Mr Stokes said

$70 million will also be invested to co-fund vital new community infrastructure in the high-growth areas of North West Sydney where thousands of new houses are being built.

“Our population is growing, and we need to make sure that where we’re unlocking housing supply, we’re also facilitating the delivery of vital community infrastructure so people are moving in to connected and vibrant communities,” Mr Stokes said.

A series of more immediate changes will also be released today for public comment, including measures to require councils to publish how much they have collected in developer levies and where they have been spent, new guidelines related to the State’s Special Infrastructure Contributions, options to simplify and shorten the process for reviewing s7.11 local contributions plans, and proposed changes to s7.12 levies and voluntary planning agreements.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet welcomed the appointment of Mr Achterstraat, and said the overhaul of the system would help boost the NSW economy at a critical time.