Landholders in the Bega Valley could save over $10,000 from the normal cost of lodging a development application for a secondary dwelling.
The council cutting the cost to encourage more housing options within the shire.
General Manager Anthony McMahon said the usual fees and charges to lodge a DA would add up to over $20,000.
“What council has decided to do is wave the developer contributions for secondary dwellings for a period of two years to trial the impact of that,” Mr McMahon said.
“They’ve decided to reduce water and sewer contributions to a much lower level which will significantly reduce the cost,” said.
The council denies their high-profile fight over a tiny house on wheels prompted the move.
A Coolagolite couple and property owners are fighting an eviction notice from the council in the Land and Environment Court.
Joshua Heins and Manu’ Bohns gained more than 30,000 signatures on a online petition objecting to the council ‘s interpretation of current planning laws.
“Council’s been looking at options I guess to create more housing supply for, particularly lower cost for several years now as part of our Affordable Housing Strategy and this is just another step in that,” he said.
“So this isn’t being driven by any particular scenario that’s happened out in community.”
