Planning and Development Alert – Infrastructure charges update

August 06, 2025
Arnold Development and Consultants
Land Development, Subdivision Development Insights, Town Planning

With the recently scheduled changes to Infrastructure Charges we are again reminded that, in addition to the continued increase to ICN charges as indexed with CPI (inflation rate) Council’s are liable to remove existing exemptions or add additional rates for certain uses. This can expose a project, particularly those not previously charged, to significant costs at a delicate stage of funding the development before you may be able to recuperate with the sale of any of the project. With this in mind, please consider the following changes:

As of the 1 January 2026, exemptions for developments currently listed under sections 5.1 and 5.2 of the 2023 Charges Resolution will begin to phase out with a reduction to 50% and a further reduction to 0% from 1 January 2027.
Secondary dwellings with a gross floor area greater than 80m² will now be required to pay infrastructure charges (currently $36,670.70 for 3/bed).
Standard increase in ICN rates required for payment of development prior to lawful operation as the adopted charge for each type of development indexed to date of payment.

As always, feel free to get in touch with us for a FREE consultation or site review to discuss your development opportunities, or to see if you will be impacted by the abovementioned changes to ICN exemptions.

If you are curious have a look at the City of Gold Coast Planning and Development Alert – Infrastructure charges update below:

City of Gold Coast Planning and Development Alert – Infrastructure charges update

Referencing Planning and Development Alert – Infrastructure charges update sent via email from City of Gold Coast on Wednesday, 23rd July 2025 at 4.01PM

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Guidance & Advisory Feedback

I just wanted to update you and express my thanks and that of the Committee for your assistance with this matter. I have received confirmation today that the New CMS has been registered without the need for new EU plans.

Adam Stankevicius from True Strata

Thank you for the assistance provided in obtaining a successful decision from Council.

John.

I would like to thank you for your services with the two site visits to my property to identify the property boundary over the last two weeks.

I’d like to provide some feedback, in that you were both were really helpful, professional and communicative through the process, and I appreciated you talking me through some of the observations/findings whilst you were here.

Kurt Thompson

Impressed with Arnold Development Consultant high level of service and proactive approach.

We engaged Arnold Development Consultants to do the survey work for our subdivision and have been impressed with their high level of service and proactive approach not only doing the survey work, but seeing the lot sealing process through to its completion. They were always willing to go above and beyond and we really appreciated their experience and guidance through this process. You have been fantastic and we will definitely be back for future survey work.

Steve O.

Subdivision Developer