Infrastructure discounts to boost housing diversity
FRASER Coast Regional Council has endorsed new incentives to help
boost housing supply and encourage a wider mix of homes across the region.
The changes include a 75 per cent discount on infrastructure charges
for certain housing types and a separate discount for new residential lots in Maryborough and several nearby towns.
Infrastructure charges are fees paid by developers that help Council fund key services such as roads, water, sewerage, stormwater systems and parks.
Under the new Housing Diversity Incentive, eligible townhouses, dual occupancies, community residences, rooming accommodation and residential care facilities in the appropriate residential zones will receive a 75 per cent discount on infrastructure charges.
Lifestyle villages and over-50s relocatable home parks are not eligible as Council considers there is already strong supply in that market.
As part of the same new package, Council has also adopted a targeted discount to help unlock more housing in Maryborough and several rural and coastal towns.
From January 2026, eligible residential subdivisions in these areas will receive an infrastructure charge discount of about 27 per cent.
That means a fully serviced lot in Maryborough would attract a charge of approximately $25,000, compared to the current charge of $34,500.
“The tap is flowing in Hervey Bay, but in the southern part of the region, the tap is running dry.”
“By slightly lowering infrastructure charges in these locations, we’re aiming to tip more projects over the line and get more serviced lots to market.”
The discount applies to residential subdivisions in the low density, medium density and rural residential zones in Maryborough and towns such as Tiaro, Howard, Poona and Torbanlea.
Cr Truscott said the new incentives would run for two years and be reviewed as part of Council’s Investment Attraction Strategy.
“This policy offers targeted discounts while still ensuring growth contributes to the cost of essential infrastructure on the Fraser Coast,” he said.
The updated Infrastructure Charges Resolution and Infrastructure Charges Incentives Policy will commence in early 2026 and is proposed to be
in place until December 2027, unless replaced by a future investment attraction package.
