GOONDIWINDI Regional Council has extend an incentive that waives building application fees as well as applicable water connection, plumbing and drainage fees for new residential dwellings.
The initiative aims to stimulate new housing construction and ease local housing pressures.
The waiver applies to eligible building applications lodged until June 30 2027, offering savings of around $5000 for a standard home within existing water and sewerage areas, and significantly more for multi-dwelling developments.
The incentive applies only to residential dwellings, such as duplexes, units, granny flats and townhouses.
It excludes short-term accommodation and temporary dwellings.
Goondiwindi mayor Lawrence Springborg encourages residents and investors to make the most of the offer.
“There is very little within Council’s control in relation to the overall build price,” Cr Springborg said. “But extending this fee waiver is one way Council can help reduce upfront costs and encourage new builds that meet growing population demand.
“We are doing everything we can to reduce the cost of building new homes in our region.”
Cr Springborg said the waiver may provide the extra encouragement needed for those considering building.
“While small in the grand scheme of building costs, it’s intended as another nudge to get going now – or perhaps help tip the balance for those weighing up whether to build,” he said.
“Following the Federal Government’s recent major changes to both Negative Gearing and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) which appear to preference new builds, I would strongly encourage residents to consider investing in new residential housing in the Goondiwindi Region.”
The extension continues the incentive first introduced in 2024-2025 and carried into 2025-2026. Council hopes to see even greater uptake in the coming period.
“We’ve received and approved 16 eligible building applications since the scheme started, and we’re hopeful even more residents will make the decision to build in the coming year,” Cr Springborg said.
A Building Application approval lasts for two years, providing an incentive for builds to occur in the short term.
The water connection waive of fees is tied to the building application to ensure that the incentive is only used to encourage building completion in the coming years.
The fee waiver initiative aligns with Council’s Local Housing Action Plan, originally adopted in January 2024, which highlights a range of key deliverables for Council to assist in increasing the supply of housing to meet the needs of local communities.
The plan was informed by community housing forums in Inglewood, Goondiwindi and Texas, stakeholder consultations, and a region-wide survey.
Goondiwindi is such a dynamic town – growing community with a Progressive Council. I wish we had such a progressive council here in Moree – There is so much potential in Moree but we lack a dynamic Council.