Developer Contributions review

Published on 18 July 2025

A review of Kiama Council’s management of developer contributions has confirmed that the administration of Council’s various Contribution Plans occurred in accordance with the legislative requirements.

Council has a Section 7.12 Contribution Plan and a Planning Agreement Policy which govern how Council levies contributions towards the provision of local infrastructure.

Since 2022, Council has completed a number of reforms to simplify and improve the process for collecting and managing developer contributions.

This included refunding overcharges from contributions incorrectly calculated between 2022 and 2023.

Mayor Cameron McDonald commissioned a review following concerns raised at a Council Meeting on 20 May 2025.

The review undertaken by the Council’s Governance team has made a number of operational recommendations regarding the Development Contributions Register.

It found staff acted appropriately at all times regarding the changes to the management of development contributions.

It also found all information provided to Councillors regarding developer contributions was correct.

The report from the Governance team is available on Council’s website:

Review Report - Section 7.11 and 7.12 - Developer Contributions July 2025(PDF, 1MB)