Toowoomba Regional Council’s planning and development application fees will rise by 4 per cent from July 1.
However, a Council spokesman said a number of fees were capped or reduced in the Planning and Development Group Register of Fees and Charges for 2014-15 which was adopted at today’s Council Ordinary Meeting.
The new fee schedule reflects Council’s long-term aim of recovering 75 per cent of costs for delivering development assessment and building and compliance services.
The remaining 25 per cent is funded from Council’s consolidated revenue.
Planning and Development portfolio spokesman Cr Chris Tait said despite Council dealing with rising costs associated with a number of external and internal influences, the general fee increase was kept to 4 per cent.
“The fees reflect the real costs of the provision of these services,” Cr Tait said.
“Council must seek to recoup its costs for these services so it does not stress the Budget in other areas of council business.
“As you can see, Council is not seeking to recoup the full cost of these services and the increase is just slightly above the current CPI.”
