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East Gippsland Shire Council has moved one step closer to endorsing a Special Charge Scheme to help an industrial precinct reach its full potential.
Property owners in the South Bairnsdale Industrial Estate have been advised Council intends to declare a Special Charge Scheme.
Feedback on the proposed scheme is invited, and closes on Thursday, October 28.
The scheme will raise $400,000 to fund some of the costs needed to upgrade the estate’s water supply to make it easier for larger buildings to provide firefighting services.
Currently, landowners who want to construct a building with a floor area over 500 m2 have to install a private firefighting service, which can cost between $50,000 to $150,000.
This requirement has limited development of the estate and economic development of the region.
The water services upgrade is expected to cost $2.4 million. The project will be jointly funded by:
Only properties that will get a potential benefit from the upgraded water supply will contribute to the scheme. The amount to be contributed will vary from property to property, depending on the size of the benefit the landowner will receive from the project.
Landowners who have installed a private firefighting service, or whose land is too small for a 500 m2 building, will not be part of the scheme.
Mayor Cr Mendy Urie said the project will be a good outcome for landowners.
“This has been a long-standing issue for landowners so it is pleasing to reach this milestone," Cr Urie said.
"Council has received representations from existing and potential developers advocating the need for a suitable fire protection solution for the estate to assist in unlocking investment into new and expanding businesses,” Cr Urie said.
Following this public notice period, a report will be presented to a Council meeting.
Further details of the proposed Special Charge Scheme are available at our Corporate Centre, 273 Main Street, Bairnsdale and on the YourSay East Gippsland website.