Shoalhaven Contributions Plan
Development Contributions are a source of funding to assist Council to deliver new and improved local public infrastructure that is needed to meet the increase in demand from new development. Contributions collected under Sections 7.11 and 7.12 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A) can be used towards infrastructure projects like roads, drainage, recreation areas, community facilities, town centre upgrades, coastal management and active transport networks.
Contributions apply to all land within the Shoalhaven Local Government Area and are calculated in various ways depending on the type and location of the development.
Most contributions are paid in monetary form; however, Council will consider an offer for a Voluntary Planning Agreement or Works In Kind Agreement. These types of agreements permit an applicant to provide a material public benefit, in conjunction with or in lieu of a monetary contribution.
How will I know what type of contribution applies to my development?
Section 7.11 Contributions apply to developments that will result in a net increase in lots or dwellings.
Some examples of developments include:
- Residential Subdivisions
- Dual Occupancies
- Secondary Dwelling
- Multi dwelling housing (terraces)
- Shop top housing
- Change of use from non-residential to residential
Section 7.12 contributions are required for development that does not have a net increase in lots or dwellings. Developments that would attract a 7.12 contribution include:
- Alterations and additions
- Single dwelling on a vacant lot
- Knockdown/rebuilds
- Boarding house/co living
- Retail, Commercial, Industrial
- Tourist and Visitor accommodation
- Educational establishments
If a development is a mixed development with a residential and non-residential component, this would attract both a 7.11 & 7.12 contribution. As only one contribution type can be charged on a single consent, the amount payable would be the contribution that yields the greater amount.
The following flow chart shows the process to determine contribution type. Refer to Section 3.1 of the Contributions Plan for more information.
How do I know what catchment applies for 7.11 contributions?
7.11 Contributions are calculated based on the Catchment Area the development is located within. There are a total of 5 planning areas and 7 individual benefiting areas across the local government area. Refer to Shoalhaven Planning and Development Map to determine which catchment applies to your development.
If a development is located within an individual benefiting area, the applicant will only be liable to pay the contribution rate listed for the benefiting area. The individual benefitting area rate includes the relevant planning area and citywide project contribution.
Why do 7.11 Contribution rates vary depending on what Catchment area they are located?
All section 7.11 infrastructure projects in the Contributions Plan have been carefully considered based on demand generated by new development in a particular area.
All planning areas, regardless of location, will contribute to the Citywide projects. However, there are other projects that will only benefit a planning area or more discrete individual benefiting area. This means that the contribution rates payable will vary depending on where the development is located.
An example of this is the Moss Vale Road South URA Benefiting Area catchment which relates to a new Urban Release Area. This subdivision requires new infrastructure such as drainage, roads and open spaces. As the residents living in this area will primarily benefit from this infrastructure, the cost of these projects will be charged to new development in this benefiting area only, and not the broader planning area or the rest of the City.
What local infrastructure is funded?
Shoalhaven’s future infrastructure needs have been informed by a range of current and emerging plans, strategies and policies prepared by both the NSW Government and Council.
The Contributions Plan funds local infrastructure projects in the following categories:
- Access, servicing and public domain.
- Open space and recreation.
- Community and cultural.
Some projects are fully funded by new development whilst others require a Council contribution in recognition that the demand is partially generated by the existing community. Information on the projects and costings can be found in the Contributions Plan.
How do I calculate the contribution payable?
The section 7.11 contribution rate for a development is calculated as follows:
Contribution rate for the development = number of net dwellings and/or residential lots x $ contribution rate for the catchment
The current indexed section 7.11 contribution rates can be found here:
Section 7.11 Rates – 2026 PDF.
View historical contribution rates (previous years)
The Consumer Price Index (All Groups Index) for Sydney used to index the contribution rates from 1 July 2026 are summarised here:
| Date of application |
Percentage |
CPI Date |
| 12 August 2026 |
0.7% |
June 2026 |
Section 7.11 Indexation Rates for repealed Contribution Plans – 1993, 2010 & 2019
This table shows the Consumer Price Index (All Groups Index) for Sydney used to index the contribution rates.
| Date of application |
Percentage |
CPI Number / Date |
| 1 July 2026 |
4.4% |
102.4 (March 2026) |
| 1 July 2025 |
2.3% |
140.9 (March 2025) |
| 1 July 2024 |
3.8% |
137.7 (March 2024) |
| 1 July 2023 |
7.3% |
132.7 (March 2023) |
| 1 July 2022 |
4.4% |
123.7 (March 2022) |
| 1 July 2021 |
0.9% |
118.5 (March 2021) |
| 1 July 2020 |
2.00% |
117.4 (March 2020) |
| 1 July 2019 |
1.32% |
115.1 (March 2019) |
| 1 July 2018 |
2.07% |
113.6 (March 2018) |
| 1 July 2017 |
2.40% |
111.3 (March 2017) |
| 1 July 2016 |
1.30% |
108.7 (March 2016) |
| 1 July 2015 |
1.61% |
107.3 (March 2015) |
| 1 July 2014 |
2.82% |
105.6 (March 2014) |
| 1 July 2013 |
2.80% |
102.7 (March 2013) |
| 1 July 2012 |
1.65% |
178.8 (March 2012) |
| 1 July 2011 |
3.17% |
175.9 (March 2011) |
The section 7.12 contribution is calculated by multiplying the proposed development cost by the following applicable percentages:
| Proposed development cost |
Section 7.12 contribution rate |
| $0 to $100,000 |
Nil |
| $100,001 to $200,000 |
0.5% |
| Over $200,000 |
1% |
A single development consent can only be subject to one type of local infrastructure contribution, either a section 7.11 contribution or a section 7.12 levy, not both. In the case of a mixed-use development (that is, a development comprising two or more different development types), the contribution type applied will be the one that yields the highest contribution amount.
Refer to the worked examples at Appendix A of the Plan for calculation guidance.
Ensuring accuracy of cost of works (s7.12)?
Council reserves the right to validate all cost summaries submitted by an applicant using a standard costing guide or other generally accepted costing method.
Should the costing be considered inaccurate in any way, Council may, at its sole discretion and at the applicant’s cost, engage a person to review the submitted costs before contributions are imposed on the consent.
Are there any exemptions from contributions?
There are some development types that are exempt from Contributions:
- Development by or on behalf of the State Government, the Crown, or Council, where Council considers it does not increase demand for community infrastructure covered by this Contributions Plan.
- Public housing as defined under the Housing Act 2001.
- Seniors housing or affordable housing delivered by, or on behalf of, a recognised social housing provider.
- Development excluded from s7.11 or 7.12 by a Ministerial Direction.
- Development that is unlikely to increase demand for local infrastructure (for s7.11).
- Development cost $100,000 or less (for s7.12 levies).
- Temporary uses.
When are contributions payable?
Section 7.11 or 7.12 contributions must be made to Council at the time specified in the development consent:
- Development applications involving building work only: Before the release of the construction certificate.
- Development applications involving subdivision only: Before the release of the subdivision certificate.
- Development applications involving building work and subdivision: Before the release of the construction or subdivision certificate – whichever occurs first.
- Development where no further approvals or certification is required: Before the development consent operates.
For development authorised under a complying development certificate (CDC), the Section 7.11 contribution or Section 7.12 levy must be made to Council prior to any building or subdivision work commencing.
To make a contributions payment, you can request an invoice. A fee may apply for this service.
All contributions payable will be indexed quarterly (based on CPI) from the date of issue of the development consent, until the payment is received in full by Council.
Council will not refund development contributions once they have been paid, except where explicitly required by law.
What are the aims of the Contributions Plan review process?
The Contributions Plan will be reviewed every two years, or sooner if required. The review process aims to ensure that at any particular time:
- Contribution rates fairly and reasonably reflect development demand for infrastructure. This includes reflecting changes in growth projections.
- The Contributions Plan remains financially sustainable and reflects changes in works and land values over time.
- Grants, loans and alternative revenue streams can be considered to facilitate infrastructure delivery in accordance with the delivery timeframes in the Plan.
- Items in the Works Schedule is reflective of the Council’s priorities and strategies.
- Items in the Works Schedule can be delivered in a reasonable timeframe.
- Current legislative requirements are being met.