Introduction

Purpose

A Special Rate and Charge Scheme is a funding model by which the City can recover the costs, or part thereof, from property owners where works or services provide a special benefit to those property owners. 

This policy provides guidance for implementing and delivering services paid for through contributions as part of a Special Rate and Charge Scheme pursuant to Section 163 of the Local Government Act 1989 and 2020.

 Scope

Under the Local Government Act 1989, Councils may levy a special rate or charge to fund services or infrastructure that provide a special benefit to specific property owners. These schemes enable the City to deliver projects more efficiently, overcoming budget and timing constraints, and benefiting both individual properties and the broader community.

Special Rate and Charge Schemes are not limited to physical infrastructure—they may also support services such as marketing, promotion, and economic development.

In new developments, infrastructure costs are typically apportioned by the developer across all lots. Where infrastructure or services are introduced later, property owners may be required to contribute fairly to the cost of those benefits.

This policy outlines the decision-making process and criteria for implementing Special Rate and Charge Schemes, ensuring transparency, equity, and alignment with community benefit.

Services include but are not limited to:

•           Increase in maintenance above municipal pre-determined levels of intervention

•           Treatments to address nuisance amenity issues associated with City infrastructure

•           Marketing and promotion

The provision of Infrastructure includes but is not limited to:

•           Sealed roads

•           Drainage

•           Kerb and channel

•           Footpaths

•           Streetlighting

•           Other capital infrastructure

•           Design and construction of the above

Definitions