Why we're consulting
Wodonga Council charges a range of fees for development, planning and building applications. These fees support the cost of assessing and regulating construction and development across the city.
The draft Waiving or Rebate of Development, Planning and Building Application Fees Policy outlines council’s approach to waive fees for certain projects and to approve rebates to applications that have been withdrawn.
- The waiver of fees is intended to support community groups, charitable organisations or projects that demonstrate clear community, cultural or environmental benefits.
- The rebate of fees for withdrawn applications is intended to allow council to adjust fees to fairly reflect the services rendered in the administration, assessment and regulation of the application received.
This policy is not new; versions of it have been in existence for at least 15 years. This draft has been developed from a review of the current Waiving or rebate of development and building application fees policy which was adopted by Council in April 2021. The amendments made in the draft are considered minor - formatting changes and change of language to improve clarity.
👉 We're seeking your feedback on the draft Waiving or Rebate of Development, Planning and Building Application Fees Policy before 5pm on Tuesday, December 16.
More information
Who does this policy impact?
The existing policy adopted by Council in April 2021 has been applied to 65 applications for fee waivers or rebates. This includes 33 related to planning matters and 32 related to council's building services.
The waiving of fees is targeted at registered not-for-profit charity-based organisations, Council related projects or projects of significant economic benefit to the local community.
The rebate of fees can potentially apply to anybody that submits and subsequently withdraws a planning or building application.
Financial impact
The value of fees waived or rebated has averaged less than $20,000 per year over the course of the existing policy. The revised policy does not change the range of fees that it applies to and is therefore not expected to substantially change the financial impact of this policy. Variance in the financial impact is largely determined by the number of development, planning and building applications submitted.
Strategic alignment
This review is part of Council’s ongoing commitment to responsible leadership and financial sustainability under the Council Plan 2025–2029.
FAQs
Council resolution
At the Council meeting on October 27, 2025 Council endorsed the following motion:
1. That the Waiving or Rebate of Development, Planning and Building Application Fees Policy, as attached, be approved for public exhibition for a period of at least 21 days;
2. If submissions are received, a report be presented to the Council following the conclusion of the exhibition period detailing the community's feedback, any proposed changes to the document and recommending adoption of the Rebate of Development, Planning and Building Application Fees Policy; and
3. If no submissions are received, the Policy, as attached, be adopted without further resolution of Council.
View the documents from the October 28 Council meeting:
