$7000 charge set for blocks

Jane Emerick
Torquay property owners face a $7000 slug for subdividing their blocks.
A spokesperson said Surf Coast Shire was investigating whether to levy a charge on subdivisions as part of a new “contributions scheme”.
Under the plan, “new developments” would help pay for open space, roads and community facilities, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said it was too early to provide details of the scheme.
But Torquay councillor Ron Humphrey said the scheme would include subdivision of single residential allotments.
The charge would cost owners from $700 to $7000 to subdivide properties, he said.
Large developments would incur multiple charges based on the amount of allotments, Cr Humphrey said.
Torquay real estate agent Adrian Currie said the fees were aimed at developers but would push up prices for home buyers.
“Developers will transfer the extra fees directly onto the cost of new homes and properties,” Mr Currie said.
“In the end it will be young home buyers and people who are likely to buy subdivided properties who will pay the fees.
“It’s just going to push prices up and I think council is being a bit greedy.”
However, Mark Casey, whose company is developing the multimillion dollar Resort apartments and villas project, said the fees would help ensure developers contributed to community infrastructure.
“I think developer contributions are a good thing,” he said.
Mr Casey said Surf Coast Shire could help create competition in the home and property market to encourage developers to absorb the charge.
“The onus in on council to provide enough land so developers will be competing with each other to provide the market with not only a superior product but a fairly priced one,” Mr Casey said.