Building multiple homes on a single block is about to get way easier
Douglas development
Some granny flats and other multiple homes being built on the same blocks are set to qualify for huge fee reductions for developers under a new discount scheme being introduced by Douglas Shire Council in December in an effort to kickstart more development.
Although the discounts vary depending on where the homes are built, some new housing developments will qualify for up to $500,000 in waived fees, while developers of aged-care homes will be in line for discounts of up to $1m while the scheme is in place for the next two years.
For example, developers building five homes on a single block will only have to pay an about $30,000 fee, and will get close to $120,000 waived.
All the councillors in last week’s full council meeting heaped praise on the new scheme.
Cr Michael Rees: “I’m so happy with this, I actually gasped when I saw it.”
Developers will have up to four years to deliver new projects, he said.
Cr Damian Meadows said the money waived by the council would flow back to the community in the form of more jobs, schools and other benefits.
“This might trigger some faster development,” he said.
Cr Abigail Noli said she “strongly supported” the scheme, and it was one solution to housing shortages in the region.
Mayor Lisa Scomazzon: “I think it’s a great incentive.”
The council will have the option to extend the scheme when it expires in two years’ time.
