The decision comes at the request of Councillor Steve Christou and is designed to alleviate the financial burden on development application fees, help speed up the building of new dwellings, “particularly focused on assisting mums and dads trying to build their family home”, and assist young people trying to get a foot into the housing market.
“It is a small way that the council help get people into a home and, at the same time, give local tradies some work,” he said.
“People are doing it tough … they are genuinely struggling.
“We are in a cost of living crisis, people are struggling to pay the mortgage, the rent, the bills and put food on the table to feed their children.
“Additionally, we have a housing shortage and people cannot buy houses, builders are not building houses.
“We have a rental shortage … the only way to address this to come up with a sufficient scheme to help alleviate concerns.
“Every bit helps.”
A similar scheme was offered during covid, with a 50 per cent take up, however more than $1 million is still to be paid.
The decision had been criticised by some councillors with Cr Glenn Elmore saying he’s ”not sure that it’s going to solve the housing crisis”, while Cr Suman Saha said “deferring might seem a quick fix but it did not work during covid and it will not work now”.
Delay new home fees
BUILDING a new home has just become a little easier for “mum and dad developers” with development contribution fees – averaging $20,000 per house – deferred for two years.
