100% waiver of selected infrastructure charges

Cairns Regional Council has announced a full waiver of Infrastructure Charges for developments meeting their COVID-19 Response Investment Incentive Policy.

The waiver of Infrastructure Charges is available “in key centre locations and for small-scale residential, commercial and industrial development. The policy is aimed at supporting small scale residential development where infrastructure charges may be a barrier to the development progressing, it also seeks to encourage reuse of existing infrastructure and tenancies, and looks to promote development in key locations such as the CBD, Gordonvale, and Babinda.”

This incentive comes in response to the Institute’s advocacy recommending stimulus for the local property and construction industry in response to COVID-19. The Institute’s Cairns branch wrote to council in early May as part of our Project Bounce Back platform and again in June as part of its pre-budget submission calling for a full waiver of Infrastructure Charges.

Cairns Branch President Ranjit Singh welcomed council’s adoption of the Investment Incentive Strategy and commends council’s response to COVID-19.

“Our local branch has worked hard in our advocacy to both levels of government. We congratulate council on the number of initiatives announced and ensuring our industry continues to be powerhouse in FNQ”

In an ordinary meeting on 12 August 2020, it was recommended that council endorse the policy commencing 12 August 2020 to 30 June 2022.

The intent of the policy is to provide economic stimulus for the development and construction industries and associated local employment across the region in response to the impact of COVID-19.

Full details of the policy can be found here.

If members have any questions in relation to the policy or the branch’s advocacy to date, please contact us via email.

Email the branch