Hume council has endorsed its Stormwater Offset Scheme, with the offset price of $45 per square meter for residential developments and $24 per square metre for industrial and commercial developments.
Council said the proposed scheme will support better planning compliance and environmental outcomes, and provide a funding source for council’s stormwater treatment projects.
Speaking at a meeting on November 27, Councillor Karen Sherry said it provides a range of positive outcomes and is an option for planning applicants to better achieve their stormwater responsibilities.
“It provides funding for future stormwater harvesting programs across Hume that will build resilience, and enable watering of community assets in dry conditions,” she said.
“With climate change, this is going to become pretty important, because we want to use non-potable water on sporting fields and… it will support better environmental outcomes for waterway protection.”
Cr Sherry said the cost is not new for developers but it’s an option to meet an existing planning scheme requirement.
“A stormwater offset is a financial contribution paid by developers for stormwater management works to be undertaken by council in another location.”
Developers do not have to purchase stormwater offsets and can choose to meet the requirements on site through installation of rainwater tanks, rain gardens, permeable paving and other stormwater treatments.
The scheme will also provide council funds to deliver projects in the Integrated Water Management Plan 2020-25.
The community will have an opportunity to provide input from the middle of January 2024.
Zoe Moffatt
