A new policy by the City of Bunbury could help provide clarity for developers working in the region.
At the council meeting on May 1, the City of Bunbury approved a new policy regarding footpath contributions from developers.
The council was split 5/5 before City of Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan opted to carry the motion.
On Tuesday, April 17, the council voted to have R Prosser and Son donate $2,727 as part of their plan to build six grouped dwellings along Ocean Drive near Stockley Road.
Developers Steve and Dave Prosser spoke against the footpath contribution condition at the meeting.
They believed the council should have set out a clear contribution policy before imposing the condition.
Mr Brennan said the council had devised, and implemented, a method of determining costs for each new development.
“It’s not for footpaths to be put around any particular development, it’s a contribution for the footpath network across the city,” he said.
“We’re dedicating several hundreds of thousands of dollars per year for expanding and maintaining an existing network of paths.”
The City’s Executive Leadership Team first discussed new guidelines for developer contributions in November last year.
The discussion was held after councillor Michelle Steck raised questions about a contribution being imposed on a proposed group dwelling.
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