Toowoomba Regional Council has endorsed a new ‘opt-in’ policy designed to accelerate the supply of residential lots and construction of new homes across the region.
Planning and Development portfolio spokesperson, Councillor Kerry Shine said the Early Plan Sealing Policy was a significant reform which would streamline lodgement and assessment processes for plan sealing applications.
“This is a great example of how Council is improving the way it can assist the development industry expedite the supply of housing lots to market,” Cr Shine said.
“The policy enables eligible developments to fast-track the endorsement of survey plans with Council for new subdivisions, aiding prospective home buyers to receive titles and commence construction of new dwellings.”
The Council says testing of the policy has already shown it can facilitate a more efficient titling of survey plans for development applications across the Region.
“Significant process improvements have also been delivered to submission and engineering requirements through close collaboration with industry to incorporate greater efficiencies and cost savings for Council and industry alike,” said Cr Shine.
“There is a broader benefit for the housing industry as titling can be brought forward at a time when they are experiencing their peak financial outlays.
“Importantly, the policy also preserves Council and public interests through maintained asset handover standards and bonds certified by professional engineers.
“This ensures Council balances the interests of ratepayers and our community as a whole, while supporting the development industry and ensuring growth is sustainably managed across our Region.”
Cr Shine said the policy aligned with contemporary industry practice and had been benchmarked against comparable local governments along with consultation with the development industry.
Material Change of Use (MCU) developments such as multiple dwellings (units and townhouses) are excluded from this policy.
The Early Plan Sealing Policy was endorsed at the July Ordinary Meeting of Council.
