By Angela Dorizas

PERTH: Development contributions towards community infrastructure costs will become more equitable and transparent with the introduction of a new planning framework in Western Australia.

Planning Minister John Day said the state planning policy on development contributions for infrastructure would ovide a consistent, accountable and transparent system for local government.

Mr Day said there was currently no systematic approach to calculating the level of contribution required from developers, which have been requested by local government on an ad hoc basis.

The new policy will require councils to develop contribution plans to identify future infrastructure needs and costs, subject to public comment.

“The system will ensure the infrastructure and facilities needed to serve growing communities are put in place and that they are fairly funded by those that benefit from the developments of land which generate their demand,” Mr Day said.

The policy was first initiated by the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) and the state division of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) almost three years ago.

WALGA president Cr Bill Mitchell said the policy would allow for the provision of community infrastructure in a timely manner and guarantee equitable developer contributions.

“The policy ensures that contributions are fair and are only made to meet the need created by new growth,” Cr Mitchell said.

“This new process will mean that all developers, large and small will contribute to shared infrastructure, and will also demonstrate the significant contributions made by local governments themselves.”

Cr Mitchell said the drafting of the new policy represented a “good example of collaboration between the spheres of government and industry”.