Council to offer Development Application Fee Concession for community members impacted by natural disasters
Gladstone Regional Council will offer a Development Application Fee Concession for eligible community members impacted by a Declared Natural Disaster within the Gladstone Region.
Council unanimously resolved at its most recent meeting (3 March) to amend the 2019/2020 Fees and Charges to include a Development Application Fee Concession to support eligible community members who lodge a Development Application with respect to their Principal Place of Residence and associated structures, within two years of a Declared Natural Disaster relative to their loss.
It was also resolved to provide a copy of the Council resolution to Federal Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud and ask him to reconsider the Federal Government’s decision not to provide the Gladstone Region with emergency financial assistance following the recent bushfires.
Eligible residents will have two years from the date of Disaster Declaration to lodge their Development Application. The Disaster Declaration date for the 2018 bushfires was 27 November 2018, while the date for last year’s bushfires is 19 December 2019.
The Gladstone Region has experienced natural disasters ranging in scale from drought, flooding and bushfires, with the most recent being bushfires impacting Lowmead, Mount Maria, Captain Creek and Deepwater.
Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said Council’s decision to apply a concession will provide eligible community members with security and confidence after suffering a devastating loss.
“This Development Application Fee Concession is another initiative by Council to ensure all of our residents can get back on their feet as soon as possible following a natural disaster,” Councillor Burnett said.
“Council is also mindful of the impact natural disasters such as bushfire has on people and lodging a Development Application is often the furthest thing from their mind.
“Having a two-year timeframe allows affected residents a suitable window of opportunity to take up this fee concession.”Cr Burnett said officers from Council’s Development Services team will confirm with applicants whether they qualify for the Development Application Fee Concession after initial assessment of the application.
Please contact Council’s Development Services department on (07) 4970 0700 for further enquiries.
See Also
