In what is thought to be a first in the local government sector the Palmerston North City Council has created a Development Contribution booklet and flyer.

Development Contributions have been around for many years and the current Development Contribution Policy was first adopted in 2004.

Despite the longevity of the Policy some confusion remains over its purpose and the application of the policy from both commercial developers and the general public.

Senior policy planner Jonathan Ferguson-Pye says the aim of the guide is to help developers and the general public, to understand the rationale for Development Contributions and understand the basics of the Policy.

Titled: Your guide to Palmerston North City Council’s 2012 Development Contributions Policy the guides explain:

- the three types of development contributions - residential, rural and non-residential

- the reason development contributions exist and what they fund

- when development contributions must be paid

- that development contributions are not negotiable

The booklet also allows developers to self-calculate a provisional estimate.

Mr Ferguson-Pye says the guide is a first step in the process of understanding the Policy which can be read at length at pncc.govt.nz

Palmerston North City Council chief executive Paddy Clifford says in the next 20 years it is anticipated that 7000 new homes will be built in the city. At that rate the Council will need to fund approximately $6million of infrastructure annually."

"It is only fair that the cost of new infrastructure is carried by those doing the developing and not carried by existing ratepayers."