Rezoning investigations
The selection of Canberra as the nation’s capital and Jervis Bay as it’s maritime outlet in 1908, triggered a significant increase in subdivision activity in the Jervis Bay area in the 1910’s and early 1920’s. By the time the Great Depression set in, many thousands of lots had been created in approved plans but remain undeveloped and without services. Many of these ‘paper subdivisions’ have been zoned ‘rural’ since land use zoning was first introduced in 1964, generally precluding development of the individual lots within these ‘paper subdivisions’.
Following the controversial sale of a number of these subdivisions to individual owners from the mid 1980’s to early 1990’s by the likes of Heritage Real Estate P/L, Council initiated rezoning investigations in responses to requests by the owners. Information on the rezoning investigations is provided respectively. See links below for area specific rezoning investigations:
Special rates
Council’s decisions to investigate rezoning these ‘paper subdivisions’ were contingent on the owners paying for the costs of the rezoning investigations and the provision of infrastructure and services if the land is rezoned. Council borrowed a total of $1.25M in 2006 to undertake rezoning investigations for the Heritage Estates, Jerberra Estate, Nebraska Estate & Verons Estate. In accordance with this benefiter-pays principal, special rates were introduced to allow the landowners to repay these loans over a 10-year period. At the same time, Council also borrowed money to undertake road design investigations for Jerberra Estate, Nebraska Estate & Verons Estate and introduced special rates to repay these loans. In response to requests by landowners, road construction special rates were introduced in 2008 to enable some minimal road construction to be undertaken until there is more certainty about the outcomes of the rezoning investigations. A summary of special rates expenditure is updated quarterly and can be viewed at the link below.
Draft 'Paper Subdivision' Regulation & Guideline on Exhibition
The NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure is seeking feedback on a draft regulation and guideline to enable a process to overcome the difficulties associated with highly fragmented land ownership in paper subdivisions. The provisions would only potentially be applicable if the land is zoned for development or is in the process of being rezoned for development. The draft regulation and guideline are on exhibition from 8 February to 30 March 2012.
Further information: Report to Council's Development Committee on 6 March 2012 [410kb].The draft documents and details on how to make a submission can be viewed on the Department's website. The Planning Minister's media release "Bid to unlock paper subdivisions" can be accessed via DP&I's media centre.