Ipswich City Council earlier this year released incentives to generate and encourage the ‘tourist experience’ throughout the region.
The City of Ipswich is committed to developing the region’s tourism industry and has been working towards increasing the number of visitors to the area. Since the establishment of its Destination Management Plan in 2015, the region has experienced consistent growth. The demand for domestic tourism experiences has also increased, which is attributed to the organic growth of the industry. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a reduction in the number of international visitors to the region, but this has not affected the demand for local tourism experiences.
The City of Ipswich’s Economic Recovery Plan, which was implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has helped local businesses expand their operations and attract more visitors to the region. Through the support of the program, the local businesses have been able to recover faster and stronger from the effects of the pandemic.
Overall, the following key benefits have been provided by Council. These are through reductions in infrastructure charges and also application fees. Currently the following incentives are available:
Infrastructure Charges
- For the expansion of existing or establishment of suitable new rural tourism activities in rural areas, the development receives 100% relief from the public parks and community facilities infrastructure contributions that are levied by Ipswich City Council and that are applicable for the use at the time of approval, providing that the proposal does not impose significant additional demand on the existing network. Water supply and sewerage trunk infrastructure networks are not Council infrastructure. This policy does not alter any applicable water supply and sewerage infrastructure charges. Where re-use includes modification of the existing building to provide additional gross floor area, applicable infrastructure contribution requirements continue to apply for the resulting additional gross floor area.
- For the expansion of existing or establishment of suitable new rural tourism activities in rural areas, the development receives 100% relief from the public parks and community facilities infrastructure contributions that are levied by Ipswich City Council and that are applicable for the use at the time of approval, providing that the proposal does not impose significant additional demand on the existing network.
- Water supply and sewerage trunk infrastructure networks are not Council infrastructure. This policy does not alter any applicable water supply and sewerage infrastructure charges. Where re-use includes modification of the existing building to provide additional gross floor area, applicable infrastructure contribution requirements continue to apply for the resulting additional gross floor area.
Application Fees
- For the expansion of existing or establishment of suitable new rural tourism activities in rural area, the development application fee is discounted by 50% from the prescribed applicable fee pursuant to the current Ipswich City Council Register of Fees & Charges, and Impact Assessable Material Change of Use applications be calculated on the basis of Code Assessment Fees
Overall, Steffan Town Planning believe that these incentives are a great thing for businesses across this region.
If you would like to know more information, please contact our office or follow this link to Council’s website: Rural-Tourism-Development-Fee-Relief-Policy.pdf (ipswich.qld.gov.au)
