HOUSING Plus will not receive a refund of more than $100,000 in developer contribution fees it had to pay before it could start building a unit complex in Havannah Street.
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In August 2019, Bathurst Regional Council approved a development application (DA), with conditions, for 38 residential units at the 48 Havannah Street.
Housing Plus intends for the units to be used as affordable housing, to provide support low-income households in the area.
One of the conditions imposed with approval requires the payment of Section 7.11 developer contributions in the amount of $109,169.34 for community facilities.
Housing Plus has paid the total contribution, in order to facilitate the release of the construction certificate, but recently lodged an application for modification seeking the deletion of that condition, meaning council would need to refund the money.
The request was considered at Wednesday's council meeting, with a report from the planning department recommending not to delete the condition.
Housing Plus argued that it is a not-for-profit social housing provider and there is a need in the community for this type of housing, and the development "involves no more than minor environmental impacts".
However, the planning department maintained that the application considered by council was based on the development being for the purposes of a multi-dwelling housing or residential units, and there has been nothing to date requiring the development to be used for affordable housing.
Councillors accepted the recommendation from senior staff on Wednesday.
The reasons for refusing consent were listed as:
- The adopted Contribution Plan applies to the land.
- The development is development to which the Contribution Plan applies.
- The Contribution Plan establishes a nexus between the development type and the provision of community facilities and services.
- Residents of the development will require access to the facilities and services proposed under the Plan.
- The proposal is not a Works In Kind arrangement as contemplated in the Contribution Plan.
Housing Plus also submitted a request for financial assistance, asking for council to make a financial contribution to works that are required to be completed as part of its DA for the Havannah Street units.
The request was for $152,290 and was dealt with separately to the developer contributions matter.
Council resolved not to provide financial assistance.
