Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney, has welcomed the announcement today that charges that apply to provide a water supply to new rural residential subdivisions will be reduced from 1 July 2016 as they are placed on a level playing field to other subdivision types.

Water Minister Mia Davies made the announcement today that the long standing anomaly would be revised, meaning rural residential subdivisions would attract the standard infrastructure contribution charge, instead of full cost recovery.

“This is great news for regional WA because it removes red tape and a potential impediment to the expansion and growth in regional towns as it becomes more attractive to develop rural residential subdivisions,” Mr Blayney said.

“The costs for regional subdivisions varied significantly from town to town and could be as much as $20,000 per lot in some areas.

“The standard infrastructure contribution from 1 July 2016 will be $2,150.

“The change could encourage more local governments and landowners to subdivide, producing a greater variety of lot sizes in regional areas.

“Despite there being no difference in cost to service these types of lots, rural residential subdivisions have in the past been charged significantly more than other subdivision sizes, and the cost also varied from scheme to scheme.”

Rural residential subdivisions create lots that are greater than one hectare and less than four hectares in size.

For more information, visit http://www.watercorporation.com.au