$1.36 billion of local infrastructure confirmed for Appin as Council’s Contributions Plan approved

Funding is now confirmed for playing fields, parks, roads and active transport, stormwater and land for community/recreational facilities in Appin as Wollondilly Shire Council celebrates the approval of the Appin Contributions Plan by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. The Plan will allow for provision of $1.36 billion of local infrastructure through developer contributions over the next 30 years.

The Department has approved the Plan after considering advice and recommendations from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), which found all the infrastructure included was essential and reasonable and that strong community input had helped shape the Plan.

It will put responsibility on developers to contribute to vital local infrastructure such as new parks, community facilities, local roads, cycleways and stormwater management to support the new growth area communities around Appin. 

Wollondilly Mayor Matt Gould said, “We’ve done our bit to ensure local infrastructure for Appin and I am pleased that the NSW Government has accepted IPART’s advice and recommendations on the Appin Contributions Plan, ensuring that future generations can enjoy a thriving, well-planned community.”

“A significant amount of new infrastructure is required to support the growth in these new communities in Appin, and the developer, not existing rate payers, should pay for that.”

“Council’s position has consistently been that housing development in Appin requires a fully funded, binding infrastructure plan linked to the delivery of housing.”

“Providing local infrastructure for a new community comes with significant cost, so Council is pleased that this is now starting to be addressed.”

“Although there are certainly more items that we would like to have, we have achieved the best outcome we could for the community within the limits of this process.”

“We will now make the necessary amendments and finalise the Plan, so that it meets the requirements outlined by IPART.”

The draft Appin Contributions Plan was endorsed by Council on 25 June 2024, following a 38-day public exhibition period. For Council to levy residential development more than the cap of $20,000 per lot, the draft Plan had to go through IPART’s assessment process. The Department’s acceptance of the recommendations is the final step in the approval process.

The contributions will be for transport, open space, stormwater management and community facilities land for a revised estimated population of 55,950 and 18,650 homes.

Infrastructure for new growth areas is provided through a combination of State infrastructure such as water and sewer, major roads, public transport, schools and health services, and local infrastructure such as local roads, stormwater, parks, playing fields and community/recreational facilities, funded by developers through local infrastructure contributions to Council, or by Council where it decides to do so.

Final rezoning and precinct design documentation for the Appin precinct have not yet been finalised by the Department, and the Contributions Plan will be updated as new details become available.