Wyndham council will introduce a charge on subdivision applications in “established” parts of Wyndham, to help raise money to create more open spaces.
Last week, the council passed a proposal to introduce a five per cent open space requirement (OSR), on applications to subdivide residentially-zoned land in “established” areas of the municipality.
A report stated the council would collect up to $700,000 from the OSR every year.
The council will start charging the OSR on planning permit applications lodged on and after November 13.
Cr Josh Gilligan said the OSR would help the council to provide more open space in Hoppers Crossing, Werribee and Laverton North.
The council first considered the OSR proposal earlier this month, at a meeting when four councillors were absent including Cr Intaj Khan, who walked out of the meeting, meaning there were not enough councillors present to vote on the matter.
Cr Khan said he walked out to defer the OSR to a later meeting so all councillors could vote on it, as it was an important issue.
At last week’s meeting, Cr Khan said he still had some concerns about the policy, especially in relation to developers passing the cost on to homebuyers.
On the same night, the council also voted to pass a proposal to implement a four-lot subdivision at 180-200 Pannam Drive in Hoppers Crossing.
