Priority Infrastructure Planning

The Integrated Planning Act (IPA) 1997 requires local governments prepare a Priority Infrastructure Plan (PIP).

The PIP integrates State and local government land use and infrastructure planning, water supply, sewerage, transport, stormwater management, public parks and land for community facilities trunk infrastructure. Plans for Trunk Infrastructure within the PIP show the existing trunk infrastructure, and the roll out of future trunk infrastructure required to support expected urban development within a Priority Infrastructure Area (PIA). Infrastructure Charges Schedules allocate the cost of the trunk infrastructure to the users of the infrastructure to derive relevant infrastructure charges to be levied on development. The PIP will eventually replace current infrastructure headworks policies and will form part of the planning scheme.

The benefits of the new system include:

• Forward planning of growth and infrastructure by Council in a more suitable manner,
• Provision of certainty and transparency to the development industry in terms of the infrastructure Council plans to supply to meet future growth,
• Ensuring that new development and redevelopment pays its 'fair share' towards the cost of providing infrastructure in the Infrastructure Charges Schedule.

Future Timeline:
As at October 2009, Priority Infrastructure Plans are required to be implemented and included into the planning scheme by 30 June 2010. Subject to the State Government releasing the new guidelines, it is intended to review and resubmit the draft PIP to the State Government for review late 2009. This may enable public notification of the proposed PIP to be conducted in early 2010.

For further information, please contact Townsville City Council's Infrastructure Planning Officer on (07) 4727 9000, or visit the Department of Infrastructure and Planning website.