Changes to building & plumbing application fees

On 24 June 2020, Council adopted its 2020/21 Fees and Charges which includes a significant increase to the building and plumbing application fees to ensure:

•Council initiates a move towards full cost recovery on the services it provides to the community. Previously the low cost of fees has resulted in a financial loss to council which is the offset by general revenue funded from the general rates. •Compliance with the competitive neutrality principles applied to all local governments carrying out significant business activities or activities prescribed under legislation. This ensures Council’s fees are competitive with the private industry and not putting the private industry at a disadvantage.

This year Council undertook an extensive review to develop a view of the full cost of delivering services, supported by financial forecasting and processes to establish a recovery of costs for building certification services. This review took into consideration such things as assessment timeframes, administrative components and all staff and on-costs.

To ensure consistency across the organisation, the same method has also been applied to the plumbing services and as such a new fee structure has been implemented.

To view a full list of Fees and Charges, please visit https://www.whitsunday.qld.gov.au/172/Fees-and-charges