Applicant requesting over $80k in fees be waived

The applicant, who plans to demolish and rebuild the popular retail shop, has requested that their $80k in fees be waived

An extract of the approved plan to construct a new Supercheap Auto retail shop in South Grafton.

The applicant of a development application that wishes to demolish and replace a popular retail shop in South Grafton has requested that their council contributions be waived.

In 2019, DA2019/0191 was submitted for the proposed demolition and construction of a new Supercheap Auto retail premises located across the street from its current location, next to Hip Pocket Workwear and Safety.

This includes the construction of a new concrete tilt-up wall panel and metal roof building, construction of a new carparking area containing 21 parking spaces with an entry and exit point via Through Street.

As part of the approval Section 64 contributions were imposed on the consent in line with the adopted Water Directorate ET Guidelines, which came to a total of $84, 652.20.

In the April 27, 2021 Ordinary Council Meeting, the applicant defended the waiving of the contributions by stating that the developer had already “paid for $40,316.85 for sewer upgrading works in Through Street as part of a separate development”.

The applicant also added that “it is unreasonable to penalise a developer with large contributions when all labour and contractors are local”.

The applicant’s request to have their contributions waived has now prompted a report to correct any revenue inequities for future development.

In a vote of six to three, with Cr Novak, Cr Ellem and Cr Clancy against, a Council recommendation was made that the proposed development will have no nett increase on Clarence Valley Council sewer and water infrastructure and/or services and no extra charges or contributions payable on the basis of no nett increase.

However, council are to receive a report informing on options available to its revenue policy with the aim to “correct the inequities of current policy for non-residential development found in this application where floor area is used as the basis for calculation rather than realistic actual use of the subject development”.