April 30, 2011
Australia

Council thwarted over planning fees spike

ABC News, www.abc.net.au 29 April 2011ABC News, www.abc.net.au 29 April 2011

The Victorian Government will not allow the Moyne council to increase planning fees to cover the cost of wind farm planning applications.

On Wednesday the council adopted a motion calling on Planning Minister Matthew Guy to raise fees from about $16,000 to $500,000 or 0.5 per cent of each project.

Earlier this year, the Government returned planning authority for wind farms to local governments and the council says that has increased the financial burden on it.

However, Mr Guy says councils have been given extra support to process applications.

“They have the option to refer that to the department for assistance should they need it but also to the Minister to manage the process,” he said.

“They are not without options, they are not without extra support and they don’t have to increase fees by such enormous levels.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/04/30/council-thwarted-over-planning-fees-spike/