Parramatta. Business levy allocation

Parramatta City Council has approved a recommendation that $550,000 raised by the annual levy on the business community be allocated to a range of projects in categories such as identity of the city, business, amenity and infrastructure. A further $160,00 has been approved funds in reserve for studies related to the Rydalmere project, a small business hub and the Discover website.

Region. Levy rise postponed

An expected rise in the levy paid by developers in Western Sydney to fund the cost of roads, bus depots and open space in the south-west and north-west growth areas has been postponed for six months pending a review. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, Brad Hazzard, said the government would ''examine the efficiency of the SIC (Special Infrastructure Contribution) and determine the best approach to supporting industry in building new homes''. It was supposed to rise from around $12,000 per home to $18,000 per home from July 1, when a concession introduced by the former Labor government. The NSW executive director, of the Property Council of Australia, Glenn Byres, welcomed the announcement.

Parramatta. Deferral on levy funds

Parramatta City Council has deferred a decision on the allocation of economic development special levy funds and will discuss the issue at a workshop. A council report noted that $50,000 was made available to support activities such as the Suncorp Western Sydney Awards, sponsorship of the Asia Business Connection, Parramatta Business Access Magazine and Greater Western Sydney Lifestyle Magazine.

Regon. $30,000 infrastructure levies

Planning for more some 1700 housing lots in Western Sydney is expected to resume following the NSW government’s decision to outline which councils across the region are eligible to apply infrastructure levies of up to $30,000 per lot. Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly, said Blacktown, Camden, Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Holroyd, Liverpool, Penrith and The Hills council were eligible.

Region. Levy cap may be raised

Planning Minister, Tony Kelly, told the mayors of Penrith, Baulkham Hills, Camden and Campbelltown he was pushing a compromise to have the caps on council developer levies lifted from $20,000 to $30,000, with a $50 million grant to make up for levy shortfalls for affected councils. The proposal also involves the cap not applying on developments where more than a quarter of the project has already begun. Mr Kelly said Treasury opposed his idea and urged them to get their local MPs to lobby ministers on the issue, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.