Promoting Residential Development in the Bundaberg Region

The intent of this incentive is to reduce the upfront costs of residential subdivision by delaying the payment of infrastructure charges for a period of two years, or until the lots created are “on sold”, whichever is the sooner.

For clarity, the following program definitions are provided:

Residential subdivision means -

Residential development for Reconfiguration of a Lot.

Residential Development Means –
For the purposes of Reconfiguring a Lot applications, an application for subdivision creating one or more additional lots within a Residential zone or Emerging community zone, where subject to a Local Area Plan, is considered a residential development.

Any residential subdivision which has a current development permit may be eligible for the delayed payment incentive. However, any trunk infrastructure works associated with the subdivision must be accepted “on maintenance” prior to being approved for delayed payment of Infrastructure Charges.

Key points to note –

• Payment of infrastructure charges may be delayed for up to two years.
• The property owner and Council will enter into an infrastructure agreement (IA) to secure the obligations of both parties.
• The plan of survey for the development must be endorsed within six months of entering the IA.
• Projects which are incentivised through some other scheme would not be eligible for delayed payment of Infrastructure Charges.

As noted above, the obligations of both parties will be secured by way of an Infrastructure Agreement, which the applicant must enter into prior to the sealing of the survey plan for reconfiguring a lot.

The IA will include the following requirements:

• Infrastructure Charges are to be applied in accordance with the Charges Resolution and relevant Charges Notice in place at the time the agreement is entered into.
• All trunk infrastructure works to be delivered by the development, or stage of development relevant to the request, are complete and have been accepted on maintenance.
• Upon approval of the plan of subdivision by Council, the Plan of Survey is to be lodged with the Queensland Titles within a period of two months.
• Upon receipt by Council of the titles notification for each Lot created, Council will attach the value of the Infrastructure Charge for each lot as a charge. Should the charge not be paid within the required time it will be transferred to the rates for the property where it will start to attract interest as an outstanding charge.
• Infrastructure Charges attached to the property must be paid when the Lot is transferred in ownership, or within two years of the issuance of a title, whichever is the sooner.
• Interest on the outstanding Infrastructure Charge will not be applied by Council so long as the charge is paid when required.

To make an application for delayed payment of Infrastructure Charges you may submit the Delayed Payment of Infrastructure Charges - Online Application Form. The pdf form is available here(PDF, 501KB). 

Please note, the detailed program rules and definitions are available to view attached to the application forms.

At its Meeting held 25 November 2025, Council adopted Charges Resolution (No.9) 2026(PDF, 7MB) which takes effect on 2 January 2026.

The new charges resolution incorporates and builds on the infrastructure charges incentives offered under Council's 'There's No Place Like Home - Housing Incentive Program' which ends on 24 December 2025.

The range of discounts embedded within the new charges resolution seeks to incentivise development that provides for increased residential densities and housing choice. See below table of discounts for residential development embedded within the charges resolution. 

 By embedding these discounts within the charges resolution, this will avoid the need for developers to apply for the incentive and enter into an infrastructure agreement.

The new charges resolution includes a lapse date of 30 June 2027 for the operation of these discounts. This is to reflect that any infrastructure charges discounts offered by Council may change over time to ensure they continue to target and stimulate those types of developments or land uses that need incentivising.

A factsheet(PDF, 543KB) has been provided with further information about the charges resolution. 

Council has established a Fast Track Housing Assessment Team with the view of prioritising the assessment of residential development applications. This is to further assist with the delivery of residential development in a timely fashion, during a time where increasing the housing supply is critical.

The assessment of development applications (MCU/ROL/BW) for housing will be fast-tracked as follows:

1. Decision period of 10 days or less for Infill Residential Development where:
   • The application is code assessable;
   • It is not proposed to build within an easement or over Council infrastructure; and
   • The development is not located within a flood hazard area.
2. Decision period of 25 days or less for all other code assessable Residential Development

Eligibility for fast tracking of applications is automatically confirmed on lodgement of the application. You will be notified by the assessing officer if your application has been identified to be fast tracked.

Please view Council's Preparing an Application information for further information on how to make a properly made application.

In addition to the above financial incentives and streamlined processes, Council provides a range of other measures to assist residents and developers with their development projects including:

• Free Duty Planner advice, with a planner available daily to provide in-person, telephone or email advice;
• Free Pre-lodgement meetings and written advice;
• Easy-to-access planning information on Council’s website;
• Unlocking more development opportunities through undertaking further local planning.

If you are looking to develop in the Bundaberg Region, the Council's Regional Growth and Development directorate is here to assist.