Open space contributions will be compulsory for new residential, commercial and industrial developments under a Brimbank council proposal to fund the creation and maintenance of parks.
The council plans to amend a clause in its planning scheme that will allow it to implement a fixed monetary contribution rate for all eligible subdivisions, with a 5 per cent flat rate proposed for residential and commercial subdivisions, and 2.5 per cent proposed for industrial.
‘‘The council has traditionally charged an open space levy on residential subdivisions greater than two lots, which has been
calculated on a sliding scale depending on the size of the subdivision,’’ a report to last week’s council meeting stated.
However, developers can challenge this levy at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The proposed amendment will remove the right to challenge.
The report said money raised by the open space contribution would help fund the council’s Creating Better Parks policy, which promotes the creation and maintenance of parks.
City development director Stuart Menzies said the changes would ‘‘set in stone’’ what was already standard practice across local government and the building industry.
Public open space requirements are based on the idea that a subdivision may increase the demand for open space in the community.
Under the Subdivision Act, councils can demand that a developer set aside a parcel of land for recreation purposes, or pay a percentage of the site value to go towards public open space projects.
The proposed amendment can be viewed at council customer service centres or at www.brimbank.vic.gov.au. Submissions close in July.
