Council has prepared the draft Central Coast Section 7.12 Local Infrastructure Contribution Plan 2023 for community consultation. The draft contribution plan, once finalised, will repeal and replace the:
- Central Coast Regional Section 7.12 Development Contribution Plan 2019,
- Shirewide Infrastructure, Services and Facilities Development Contribution Plan, and
- Civic Improvement Plan.
The draft Central Coast Section 7.12 Local Infrastructure Contribution Plan 2023 has been prepared to combine the remaining infrastructure requirements from three existing contributions plans.
The schedule of works has been broadened to include upgrades to sport grounds, parks, playspaces, skateparks, tennis facilities, community facilities, local centres upgrades, cycleways, traffic and transport projects, and projects within the Gosford City Centre such as funding for the Gosford Regional Library.
The updating of the contribution plans will not change the amount of Section 7.12 contributions levied on development as the maximum levy rate is set out in Section 209 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 as follows:
| Proposed Cost of Development | Levy Rate |
| Up to and including $100,000 | NIL |
| More than $100,000 and up to and including $200,000 | 0.5% of the cost of development |
| More than $200,000 | 1% of the cost of development |
It is also intended as part of this process to revoke the former Gosford City Council policy:
The exemptions provided in this policy have been superseded by legislation changes and Ministerial Directions and therefore the policy is no longer required.
Have Your Say
Council sought feedback on the draft Central Coast Section 7.12 Local Infrastructure Contribution Plan 2023 between 23 August 2023 and 20 September 2023. Feedback was received by:
- the online submission form (now closed)
- email ask@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
- post: PO Box 20, Wyong NSW 2259 addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Mr David Farmer.
When providing feedback to Council, your attention is drawn to the provisions of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 which allows for possible access to certain public and personal documentation. View our privacy statement.
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What are Local Infrastructure Contributions?
Local Infrastructure Contributions, also know as Section 7.11 and Section 7.12 Contributions (formally Section 94 Contributions), are levies charged to developers when new development is constructed.
These contributions help fund infrastructure projects needed to support the growing community and include open space, community facilities, transport infrastructure, drainage and cycleways.
Find out more about Development Contributions Plans and Planning Agreements
What is a Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan?
A Development Contributions Plan (also known as a Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan) is developed under Section 7.11 or 7.12 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EPA Act).
There are two forms of local infrastructure contributions:
- Section 7.11 contributions (formerly s.94)
- Sections 7.12 contributions (formerly s.94A)
What is the difference between Section 7.11 and Section 7.12 Contributions?
To charge contributions under a Section 7.11 contributions plan, the plan must identify a clear relationship between the expected development and the demonstrated need for the public infrastructure. The contribution rate varies between different contributions plans as the contribution rate is determined generally by the cost of the infrastructure to be provided and the expected incoming population within the contributions plan.
To levy contributions under a Section 7.12 contributions plan, the plan is not required to identify this relationship, as the contributions are calculated as a flat rate percentage of the cost of development.
Find out more about Development Contributions Plans and Planning Agreements
Why is Council reviewing the Local Infrastructure Contribution Plans?
Council is undertaking a review of local infrastructure contribution plans to provide a simplified approach to the levying of local infrastructure contributions and the delivery of public infrastructure across the Central Coast.
On 23 November 2021, Council resolved to revoke 35 local infrastructure contribution plans and undertake a comprehensive review of the Central Coast Regional Section 7.12 Plan 2019.
The review has been expanded to include the Shirewide Infrastructure, Services and Facilities Development Contribution Plan and the Civic Improvement Plan which levies Section 7.12 contributions in the Gosford City Centre.
Where does the draft Central Coast Section 7.12 Local Infrastructure Contribution Plan apply?
The draft Plan applies to the Central Coast Local Government Area. Council also has other Contribution Plans that apply to specific areas across the Central Coast. Council’s contribution plans can be viewed using the following link:
How are Section 7.12 Contributions calculated?
Section 7.12 contributions are levied on the proposed cost of development, using the table below:
| Proposed Cost of Development | Levy Rate |
| Up to and including $100,000 | NIL |
| More than $100,000 and up to and including $200,000 | 0.5% of the cost of development |
| More than $200,000 | 1% of the cost of development |
The above rates are set out in Section 209 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021.
Why does Council levy Local Infrastructure Contributions?
Council levies development contributions to provide local infrastructure to support new and growing communities to ensure that the Central Coast is a great place to live, work and visit.
What does Council use the Section 7.12 Contributions for?
Section 7.12 Contributions are collected to fund the projects listed in the Schedule of Works in the contribution plan. These works include:
- Upgrades to parks, playgrounds, sports grounds, skate parks and reserves
- Cycleways
- Local centre upgrades
- Upgrades to community facilities
- Public domain improvement
- Traffic and transport upgrades
- Drainage works
- Environmental works
Do all types of development have to pay Section 7.12 Contributions?
The Section 7.12 Contribution Plan does not apply to the following types of development:
- Development with a development cost of less than $100,000
- Dwelling houses or alterations and additions to dwelling houses
- Development incidental or ancillary to dwelling houses such as swimming pools, garages, sheds
- Alterations and refurbishments of an existing development, where there is no intensification of the current land use
- Affordable housing
- Adaptive reuse of a heritage building
A full list of exemptions can be found in Section 1.5 of the draft Central Coast Section 7.12 Local Infrastructure Plan 2023.
What are the next steps?
Following the community consultation, all the feedback received by Council will be reviewed and updates made to the draft plan if required. A Council Report will be prepared providing outcomes of the community consultation.
How can I have my say?
Council sought feedback on the draft Central Coast Section 7.12 Local Infrastructure Contribution Plan 2023 between 23 August 2023 and 20 September 2023. Feeback was received by:
- the online submission form (now closed)
- email ask@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
- post: PO Box 20, Wyong NSW 2259 addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Mr David Farmer.