Politics
Epping Developers Face New Contribution Rules Under Infrastructure Levy Amendment
Epping residents face potential shifts in local project funding as the bill changes how developers contribute to council services and facilities.
How we reported this
The Community Infrastructure Levy Amendment Bill passed its second reading in the state legislature on 6 July, altering how local authorities collect and spend developer contributions on projects such as roads, schools and parks. The changes apply directly to councils including Epping Forest District Council, which handles planning applications for new housing and commercial sites across the district.
Legislation of this type has gained attention this year because central government funding formulas for local services are under review ahead of the 2027-28 spending round. Epping Forest District Council submitted evidence to the bill committee in May detailing 42 live planning applications that could be affected by revised levy rates.
Effects on Epping households and services
Under the bill, councils may redirect a larger share of levy receipts toward maintenance of existing infrastructure rather than new builds. For Epping residents this could mean earlier repairs to local roads such as the A121 through Epping town centre and upgrades to drainage systems in areas prone to surface water flooding. Local advocates note that current levy spending in the district has supported three new classroom blocks at Epping St John's Church of England School since 2023.
Policy analysts say the amendment also caps the proportion of funds that can be retained for administrative costs at 4 per cent, down from the previous 5 per cent. The Productivity Commission has found that similar rate reductions in other districts freed an average of £180,000 per authority for direct service spending in the first year of operation.
Next steps for implementation
The bill is scheduled for committee stage on 22 July, after which the government says revised levy schedules will be published for consultation with district councils. Epping Forest District Council has indicated it will hold two public meetings in September to discuss how any new rates would apply to sites at North Weald and Theydon Bois. Final royal assent is projected for October if the bill clears remaining stages without amendment.