Thank you to everyone who helped develop the Special Charge Scheme Policy

The final document was adopted by Council on Monday 1 September 2025, with one change. To view the meeting minutes or watch a recording of the meeting, go to Council's website. The project was Item 7.1 on the agenda.

The change made to the final document by Council was:

  • Page 19 - 6.2.5 Direct Financial Contribution
    Recognising the significant cost of infrastructure improvements on property owners, and to support the successful implementation of such improvements through Special Charge Schemes, Council will contribute 33% of a total Scheme cost, except where Council’s liability under sections 6.2.1-6.2.4 of this Policy would exceed that amount.

Community engagement

From 16 April to 15 May 2025, 65 people provided feedback on the draft Special Charge Scheme Policy through an online survey. Thank you for the time and insights provided, they’ve played a key role in shaping the revised Policy.

Take a look below at some of the things we heard, or do a deeper dive by reading the Feedback Summary Report.

What we heard

  • Support for the Policy

    While 11% of participants expressed clear support, many others provided constructive feedback to help improve the Policy.

  • Cost contribution

    66% of respondents think Council should fully fund works due to broader community benefits

  • SCS Initiation Process

    60% of respondents found the SCS initiation process clear.

  • Cost sharing formula

    43% of respondents found the cost sharing calculations complex or unfair, prompting us to simplify and clarify this part of the Policy.


Proposed changes

In response to community feedback, proposed changes to the draft Special Charge Scheme Policy include:

  • The Policy now includes information on how to submit a petition as part of the initiation stage.
  • The apportionment formulas have been revised, and expressed in words using plain language.
  • The Policy now explains that cost estimates are just a starting point during the initial survey. They are not fixed and will be reviewed and refined with relevant residents as the Special Charge Scheme develops.

Other feedback not incorporated into the revised Policy:

  • Council will develop resources to support the Policy and share them on its website.

Background

Sometimes residents ask Council to seal or upgrade roads, or fund the construction of new infrastructure like drainage, kerbs, channels and footpaths. To manage these requests, Council uses a Special Charge Scheme (SCS), as outlined in the Local Government Act 1989, where there is at least 65% support among the affected property owners. Through the SCS, property owners who live next to the upgrades help pay the costs. Council contributes to the cost when there is Council/crown land abutting the location of the proposed works, and when the works are seen to benefit the broader community.

Special Charge Scheme Policy

This is the first time that Council will have a formal policy for the SCS. The draft Policy aims to:

  • make sure the process is clear and fair for everyone
  • ensure equal opportunities and consistency when applying the SCS
  • adapt the scheme to suit the community’s needs
  • encourage residents to get involved and share their views
  • use Council resources effectively for investigating and setting up the scheme
  • Guarantee adherence to the stipulations outlined in the Local Government Act 1989.