Other updates to the Development & Financial Contributions Policy

The policy has been updated to make other changes that support the key changes outlined in issues one to three, and/or reflect changes in the legislative or operating environment. Full copies of the current and amended polices with changes highlighted are available at www.itsourplace.nz and the following table highlights the more substantive of these other changes.

Clause

Change detail

Clause 1.1, 2.2, & 2.3
  • Changes to clauses reflecting the introduction of a new roading DC.

Clause 2.1, 2.6, & 2.12.
  • Changes to various clauses reflecting new triggers for requirement, assessment and invoicing of a DC, including the proposal to collect DCs at subdivision stage from 1 July 2027.

Clause 2.4.3 and Table 1
  • Add new information under 2.4 Units of demand to provide an initial explanation of the calculation of a roading DC for residential, accommodation units and non-residential activity. Add table 1 to list proposed roading land use differentials.

Clause 2.15
  • Rewrite of clause 2.15 to provide a more complete description of the Ashburton District Plan provisions on financial contributions.

Appendix 1. Definitions
  • Definitions added for “Commercial development” “Gross floor area”, Household unit”, “Industrial development”, Retail development”, and “Small stand-alone dwelling”.

Appendix 2. Key assumptions
  • Population growth paragraph rewritten to reflect use of 2023 census data and use of medium-high population projection.
  • Inflation paragraph amended to reflect 2025/26 dollars.
  • Residential household size and household demand paragraph amended to reflect use of 2023 census.

Appendix 3. Calculation methodology and special assessments
  • Align the terms used in these appendices with the terms used in the disclosure schedules in Appendix 5.
  • The policy requirement to use the lesser of the project growth factor or the scheme growth factor has been removed, and replaced with the term “growth portion”
  • In Appendix 3, replace all references to “average occupancy” with “peak occupancy.”
  • In Appendix 3, insert calculation methodologies for new roading DCs.
  • In Appendix 3, insert Part G. Special Assessment

Appendix 4. Development contributions by location & Appendix 5. Development contribution by activity and location
  • Amended disclosure schedules provided for all existing DC activities and locations, including proposed policy changes
  • All disclosure schedules updated for actual project costs where known and new capital expenditure identified.
  • New disclosure schedule provided for district roading DC.

What do you think about these other changes?

  • Other updates

    These other changes are "in the detail" of the policy and underpin the major changes to introduce a new roading contribution, collect development contributions at subdivision from 1 July 2027, and update development contributions charges to improve recovery of growth costs.

    Let us know what you think!