Burwood Council, at its meeting on 28 October 2025, resolved to place on exhibition a proposed amendment to Council’s Fees and Charges 2025-2026 to include a new category of fee reduction for temporary road closure permits associated with transformative precinct-scale developments that deliver significant community benefit.

The proposed category and eligibility criteria are:

Category

Transformative precinct-scale development delivering significant community benefit.

Eligibility criteria (all to be met)

    • The project demonstrably changes and improves an entire precinct and requires extended temporary road closures greater than 8 weeks.
    • A Voluntary Planning Agreement is in place (or approved in principle) that materially funds significant public infrastructure (for example, a major community or civic asset, a significant cultural or recreation destination, or a landmark community space).
    • The project delivers additional community benefits beyond any Voluntary Planning Agreement contributions (for example, expanded employment outcomes, early delivery of public domain, enhanced public domain amenity).
    • The applicant agrees to comply with all Construction Traffic Management Plans, minimises disruption, and provides communications to affected traders and/or residents.
    • The fee reduction applies only to Council levied Road Closure line items in Council’s Fees and Charges.

Relief offered

50% reduction to the relevant Road Closures line items in Council’s Fees and Charges for the period or extent of closures approved in Construction Traffic Management Plans.

Background

Under the current fee structure, extended temporary road closures required for these complex precinct-scale projects can result in significant permit fees substantially beyond anything Council has previously charged. For context, with our longest previous closure being just 1 day, the fees were manageable and appropriate. However, projects requiring closures of several months to facilitate sophisticated underground construction can generate significant fees.

The proposed 50% reduction represents a balanced approach that recognises the exceptional community benefit these developments deliver while maintaining cost discipline. The retained 50% fee still provides incentive to minimise closure duration where possible and appropriately shares the cost burden between private benefit to developers and public benefit to the community. This approach remains fiscally responsible by retaining substantial revenue while supporting strategic development objectives.

The Council resolution and further information about the proposal can be found in the Council Meeting Agenda and Minutes on Council's website.

How to make a submission

The proposed amendment to the Fees and Charges will be on exhibition from 31 October to 28 November 2025.

If you have something to say about any aspect of this proposal, we encourage you to make a submission. All submissions must be in writing and must be received by 28 November 2025. Please include in the subject line: "Public Exhibition - Fee Reduction Category".

Submissions can be made:

  • By email to council@burwood.nsw.gov.au
  • By post to Burwood Council, PO Box 240, Burwood NSW 1805