Councillors concerned by new laws
ONE of the most important issues for the council to deal with after the April 28 election will be one that most residents do not fully understand.
Last year, the then Labor government introduced the Adjusted Infrastructure Charge Resolutions, which forces councils to cap the amount they can charge developers for infrastructure connections on new homes.
The idea was to reduce the cost of developing new homes.
Gladstone Regional Council last year expressed concern the legislation could cost it $9.3 million per year.
The mayoral candidates at this month's local election, Mayor Gail Sellers and Cr Craig Butler, expressed their opposition to the legislation.
After the election, one of the two will have to deal with what could be a very expensive headache for the council.
Under the regulations, councils can charge developers a maximum of $28,000 for infrastructure to each new home. The council said the average cost of providing that infrastructure is generally more than $30,000, meaning the council makes up the difference.
