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Activate Cassowary Coast - Development Incentive Scheme
The economic activation of the region is an essential element of the core business of Cassowary Coast Regional Council. In particular, Cassowary Coast Regional Council is committed to promoting and encouraging new forms of employment generating business and tourism activity to the region.
In order to promote and encourage such forms of development, Council has developed four development incentive policies to attract and provide support to projects and businesses that will deliver the greatest economic benefits to the Cassowary Coast and its residents in the long term.
The incentives range from tangible financial and non-financial support through subsided infrastructure charges, general rate exemptions and development application fees discounts for the construction of certain types of new development and grants for shopfront improvements to existing commercial buildings throughout the whole of the Cassowary Coast region.
The policies have been developed to ensure that local businesses and licenced tradespeople who specialise in construction, facade and shopfront refurbishment will gain work and the economic benefits generated by the development incentive schemes will stay in the Cassowary Coast region.
A summary of the four development incentive schemes, relevant policies, guidelines and application forms are provided below:
1. Activate Cassowary Coast Development Incentives - Reduction in Infrastructure Charges Policy (Policy No. 4.10)
The aim of this policy is to encourage development that achieves certain strategic objectives for the Cassowary Coast by allowing a reduction in the infrastructure charges payable of up to 100% in relation to certain types of development that are completed within two (2) years of the date of the approval taking effect.
2. Activate Cassowary Coast Development Incentives – Façade Improvement Incentive Scheme Policy (Policy No. 4.16)
The aim of this policy is for Council encourage commercial building owners and business operators to invest in façade renovations and storefront improvements for their buildings by Council providing a fund to contribute to a portion of the renovation costs. Improving building facades can positively influence the perception of the Cassowary Coast and create a more inviting and interesting place to live, work, shop, dine, invest and experience. All improvement works must be external and visible from the street and local businesses and licenced tradespeople must be engaged to undertake the associated work.
Applications are now open for the Activate Cassowary Coast Development Incentives – Façade Improvement Incentive Scheme Round 2, the closing date for applications is 27 September 2019.
3. Activate Cassowary Coast Development Incentives – New Development Attraction Incentive Scheme Policy (Policy No. 4.17)
The aim of this policy is to encourage development that achieves certain strategic objectives for the Cassowary Coast by providing a one-off rate exemption period up to 100% for the first 12 months of operation for certain types of eligible new developments that are completed and the use commences within two (2) years of the date of the approval taking effect. The proposed development must involve new building work as defined in the Planning Act 2016. The applicant must demonstrate that there has been significant capital investment in the Cassowary Coast region and local businesses and licenced tradespeople have been engaged to undertake the associated building work.
4. Activate Cassowary Coast Development Incentives –Reduction in Development Application Fees Scheme Policy (Policy No. 4.18)
The aim of this policy is to encourage development that achieves certain strategic objectives for the Cassowary Coast by allowing access to staff to provide pre-lodgement services free of charge and a 25% reduction in development application fees in relation to certain types of developments that are completed and the use commences within two (2) years of the date of the approval taking effect or developments that are located within existing buildings. The applicant must demonstrate that there has been significant capital investment in the Cassowary Coast region and local businesses and licenced tradespeople have been engaged to undertake the associated building work (where applicable).