Half a million dollars has been earmarked to fund a special group dedicated to managing Gawler’s urban development.
Gawler Council has authorised its chief executive officer Stephen Kerrigan to spend $500,000 over 12 months to create and fund a Strategic Urban Development Unit.
The funding allocation is subject to Mr Kerrigan providing a business plan to council for approval prior to the signing of the Gawler East Infrastructure Deed.
The deed, which sets out financial responsibilities for infrastructure relating to the projected Gawler East development, is currently being negotiated between the council, state government departments, developers and other stakeholders.
As reported in the Herald last week, 400 hectares of land at Gawler East has been rezoned, paving the way for about 3900 houses to be built in the suburb.
Up to 10,000 new residents are expected to move to the area over the next 10 years.
At a special meeting last Wednesday, the council passed a number of resolutions to prepare for the population boom.
A council report states the creation of a special group to handle growth in the town was necessary.
“Urban development at a scale that Gawler has never experienced and is not likely to experience again is on council’s doorstep,” it reads.
“Council has no alternative but to invest in the future (a strategic urban development unit will be required), without which council will not be in a position to control or resource the management of the growth.”
“The cost of investment contextual with the value of assets that will be vested in council ultimately will be minimal, and investment will provide a better outcome for the Gawler community.”
Of the $500,000 required to establish and operate the group, the council report states $300,000 could be sourced from the 2010-2011 separate rate and $140,000 could come from the 2009-2010 separate rate.
The 2010-2011 separate rate was included in council’s annual business plan but is yet to be declared, while the issuing of the 2009-2010 separate levy is currently being challenged in the district court.
However, Mr Kerrigan said council will consider how the unit will be funded at its next budget review.
Council has also decided to establish a negotiating team to handle the discussions surrounding the Gawler East Infrastructure Deed, engage and independent probity officer to help council with governance and probity issues, and hire expert and independent financial, legal and other advice as required to minimize risks associated with the deed.
The deed is expected to be signed by mid-september.
“As the DPA is now in place and while there is no deed, council and the community are exposed to a risk of developers not providing the infrastructure required as a result of development in the new DPA area,” Mr Kerrigan said.
Meanwhile, Gawler Council will team up with Barossa Council to further assess the Gawler East development plan amendment, which rezoned Gawler East.
“There are a number of issues with the way in which the new development policy has been drafted and approve,” he said.
“The council sees its role in identifying these over the next while and make submissions to the minister to correct those that would otherwise produce bad or unsustainable development outcomes.”
Email a friend