Local Infrastructure Contributions
Council collects contributions from developers to provide local infrastructure and facilities under section 7.11 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. These funds are essential to ensure our infrastructure meets the needs of our growing population.
This generally occurs through the development assessment process — Council can place conditions on certain types of development to require the levy of these contributions.
Council's Development Contribution Plan outlines the process for collecting and expending local infrastructure contributions.
Contributions Register
Council maintains a register for all contributions relating to approved development.
View the Development Contributions Register
Voluntary Planning Agreements
A voluntary planning agreement (VPA) is an agreement entered into by a planning authority (like Port Stephens Council) and a developer, as outlined in Section 7.4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Under the agreement, a developer agrees to provide or fund:
- public amenities and public services
- affordable housing
- transport or other infrastructure.
Contributions can be made through:
- dedication of land
- monetary contributions
- construction of infrastructure
- provision of materials for public benefit and/or use.
Voluntary planning agreements cannot be entered into without public notice — an explanatory note must be made available for at least 28 days.
Voluntary Planning Agreement Register
Agreements which are currently on exhibition, finalised, executed or concluded are available to view below:
Council and Salsands (NSW) Pty Ltd
The agreement provides details on the works to be completed by the developer for roadworks and associated stormwater and drainage infrastructure at Kara Crescent. The planning agreement also dedicates parts of the site to Council for the purposes of road widening and to create a drainage reserve.
- 15 Kara Crescent, Taylors Beach Planning Agreement (PDF 13 MB)
- Explanatory note 15 Kara Crescent, Taylors Beach (PDF 135 KB)
Council and Robert Edwin Blackie and Barbara Blackie
The agreement provides details on funding contributions towards the cost of the construction of Halloran Way, Raymond Terrace.
Council and Buildev Development (NSW) Pty Ltd – land at the intersection of Peppertree and Ferodale Road, Medowie.
The agreement provides details on funding contributions towards the cost of a traffic study and drainage study to progress the completion of an infrastructure plan to complement the Medowie Strategy adopted by Council on 24 March 2009. The planning agreement also dedicates part of the site to enable the widening of Peppertree Road.
- Medowie Planning Agreement (PDF 631KB)
- Explanatory Note Medowie (PDF 65KB)
Council and BD NSW Project BD075 Pty Ltd - Land at Ferodale Road, Medowie
The agreement provides details on funding contributions towards the purpose Council constructing a public road between Peppertree Road and Medowie Road.
- Pepper Tree Planning Agreement (PDF 500 KB)
- Explanatory Note Pepper Tree (PDF 157 KB)
Department of Environment, Climate Change & Water and Fern Bay Seaside Village Limited and Winten Fern Bay No.2 Pty Ltd – land at Seaside Boulevard – Fern Bay.
The agreement provides details on public purpose works to be completed by the developer including track, trail and car park construction, rehabilitation, weed and waste removal as well as monetary contributions towards implementing the Vegetation Management Plan over a 20 year period
- Fern Bay Seaside Village (PDF 1 MB)
- Fern Bay Explanatory Note (PDF 114 KB)
Please Note:
The State Government also enters into VPAs in the Port Stephens Local Government Area.
These VPAs are available under the NSW Government Planning and Environment Major Projects Website.
NSW Government Planning and Environment Major Projects Website