Developer Contributions and Voluntary Planning Agreement Register
New reporting and accounting requirements for infrastructure contributions and planning agreements were introduced into the EP&A Regulation on 12 February 2021 through the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Development Contributions) regulation 2021 (amending Regulation).
Council’s are required to publish online the following information effective from 1 July 2022:
- Copies of all planning agreements (including amendments and variations to the agreements).
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Annual financial statements for planning agreements and local infrastructure contributions showing aggregate totals of money, land, and works/works-in-kind received (also referred to as ‘material public benefit’) (see below).
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Copies of all current contributions plans and current contribution rates under each plan
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Annual report information related to contributions expenditure, including a detailed breakdown of contributions expenditure by project.
Planning Agreements
Council’s Planning Agreement Policy assists Council, and developers understand and navigate the planning agreement process. To further assist developers, and Council, step-by-step through the various stages and requirements of offering and entering into a planning agreement Council has provided the following additional supporting documents.
A Planning Agreement is an agreement entered into by a planning authority (such as Strathfield Council) and a developer who has sought a change to the Local Environmental Plan (via a Planning Proposal) or as made a development application. Under the agreement, a developer agrees to provide or fund:
- Public amenities or public services
- Affordable housing
- Transport
- Conservation or enhancement of the natural environment
- Other infrastructure.
A planning agreement can provide for the dedication of land, payment of a monetary contribution or any other public benefit to be used for a public purpose. Planning agreements cannot be entered into unless public notice has been given, and an explanatory note is made available for inspection.
The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and Regulation provides the provisions relating to Planning Agreements. The Department of Planning & Environment also provide information and guidelines on planning agreements.
Planning agreements cannot be entered into unless public notice has been given, and an explanatory note is made available for inspection for at least 28 days.
Council encourages all developers who are considering their options regarding entering into a planning agreement with Council to contact us early in the process so that the most efficient pathway and best outcomes can be identified.
Developer Contributions
Strathfield Municipal Council adopted its Direct Development Contributions Plan in 2019 and Indirect Development Contributions Plan in 2010 to provide the administrative frameworks under which specific public facilities strategies and delivery could be achieved.
The plans provide a comprehensive strategy for the assessment, collection, expenditure and review of development contributions throughout the Municipality.
Direct-Development-Contributions-Plan-2010-2030.pdf(PDF, 7MB)
Indirect-Development-Contributions-Plan-3-September-2010.pdf(PDF, 4MB)
Contribution Rates per development type by precinct - March 2025(PDF, 232KB)
Strathfield Council Developer Contribution and Planning Agreement Register - 17 July 2025(PDF, 951KB)
Council encourages all developers who are considering their options regarding development contributions to contact us early in the process so that the most efficient pathway and best outcomes can be identified.