DEVELOPERS may have to contribute more money to fund open spaces for community use in Kingston if a proposal by council is accepted by the state government.
Councillors decided at January’s public council meeting to seek permission from Labor Planning Minister Richard Wynne to add open space contribution amounts to the Kingston Planning Scheme.
The mayor Cr David Eden said council wants to increase the contribution that all developers must make towards public open space in the area.
“With the increase in larger developments, which can be appropriate in activity centres close to public transport and shops, there is a need to create new open space areas across our community,” Cr Eden said.
“It’s only fair that developers are expected to help support the creation and improvement of public open spaces that will serve the needs of the people that will live in these new homes.”
It is proposed that developments at key strategic sites and in the Moorabbin, Cheltenham, Highett, Mordialloc and Mentone activity centre zones would incur an 8 per cent public open space contribution fee while all other areas would incur a 5 per cent contribution.
“In the past, developers had at times successfully appealed at the Victorian Civil and Administration Tribunal against the open space contribution amounts,” Cr Eden said.
“By having the rates set in stone and added to the Kingston Planning Scheme, we can ensure that developers pay their fair share.”
If the Planning Minister agrees to the open space contribution plan it will be advertised for public feedback before implementation.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 1 March 2017
