Armadale Redevelopment Area - Wungong Urban Water Development Contribution Plan Amendment
Adopted
Decision Making Process
The Minister for Lands has approved the adoption of the Wungong Urban Water Development Contribution Plan (DCP) amendment in accordance with Clause 7.7 of Armadale Redevelopment Scheme 2.
The DCP amendment is the result of an extensive review process involving both landowners and stakeholders. DevelopmentWA has actively consulted with landowners and stakeholders since 2019, including during formal advertisement of the amendment between November 2022 and March 2023. The outcomes of consultation were presented to the Armadale Land Redevelopment Committee (LRC) in May 2023, and the DCP was subsequently updated to incorporate amendments identified through the advertising process.
At its December 2023 meeting, the LRC considered adoption of the updated DCP and resolved to refer determination to the DevelopmentWA Board, requesting that Board receive additional information to support its decision.
The proposed DCP amendment was presented to the Board for approval on 19 February 2024, however, a decision was unable to be made as the Board composition did not meet quorum requirements under the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority Act 2011 (the MRA Act). A copy of the report and attachments can be viewed below.
Section 100 of the MRA Act provides that if the Board is unable to achieve a quorum to deal with a matter, it may be determined by the responsible Minister.
Explanatory Notes
The proposed amendment to the DCP captures current costs for delivery of DCP infrastructure and makes minor amendments to scope and apportionment, noting that the opportunity for fundamental change to the DCP is limited given over $50 million has been collected to date, with the majority of the project area progressed to structure planning stage based on the current masterplan and DCP.
The DCP amendment results in the following key changes:
- a simplified calculation methodology, with a per lot rate rather than a per square metre rate, ensuring that costs are shared equitably across all landowners;
- updates to align with State Planning Policy 3.6 – Infrastructure Contributions (SPP 3.6), where possible and appropriate, including alignment with the overarching principles;
- revised schedules and updated Development Contribution Maps to simplify administration;
- reviewed consideration of need and nexus of DCP infrastructure items, limiting costs to only relate to demand generated by the project area; and
- updated costs for funded works, reflective of the current infrastructure pricing, ensuring deliverability moving forward.
Updated Costs
The previous DCP had a value of $261 million worth of works, which was below the current, actual cost of delivery, given the DCP has not been updated since 2012. The updated DCP totals $350.7 million, resulting in a per lot liability of $26,798 (before reimbursements).
The increased DCP value is reflective of the current infrastructure costs required to enable the successful delivery of the Wungong Project and is driven primarily by cost escalation of existing items. Savings have been made where possible, as have amendments to DCP scope and apportionment to align with balanced stakeholder priorities.
Process Moving Forward
To support the release the DCP amendment, a comprehensive administration guide, complete with practice notes, has been compiled. Refer below.
The DCP amendment will only apply to those owners yet to make full payment of their Development Contribution. All unpaid development stages will be assessed under the DCP amendment.
The amendment will facilitate simplified future reviews of the DCP, which will be undertaken annually.
A dedicated email address has been established. Landowners can utilise this email to submit estimates, helping them understand their new liabilities or potential reimbursements. To request a liability calculation estimate, please visit: www.developmentwa.com.au/planning-and-approvals/development-contribution-plans and email dcp@developmentwa.com.au.
Should you have any questions regarding the Wungong DCP amendment, please contact Robert Hall, Manager Planning Projects at 6200 4111.
