chalkline. Snap the line. Build to it.
glossary Glossary 2 min read

s7.11 contributions

s7.11 contributions are levies councils charge on NSW development to fund local infrastructure. Formerly called s94 contributions. Rates set per council plan.

By Dan Waring. Last updated 9 May 2026. Verified 9 May 2026.

Ask Chalkline about this →

s7.11 contributions are levies NSW councils impose on developers as a condition of development consent, to fund local public infrastructure made necessary by new development. They are authorised under s 7.11 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) (verified 2026-05-09).

The rate is set in a council contributions plan, calculated by dividing the total cost of required infrastructure by the number of new residents or lots expected. The plan must demonstrate nexus (a causal link between the development and the infrastructure need) and apportionment (the new development’s fair share of costs). Eligible infrastructure includes local open space, roads, stormwater drainage, and community facilities. Water and sewerage works are excluded (per NSW Planning Portal, verified 2026-05-09).

Plans at or below $30,000 per lot in greenfield areas, or $20,000 per lot in non-greenfield areas, can be adopted without external review. Plans above those thresholds must go to IPART before they can be made (per NSW Planning Portal, Principles of s7.11, verified 2026-05-09).

Instead of a cash payment, a developer can enter a works-in-kind agreement to build the required infrastructure directly. Planning agreements are a broader voluntary alternative.

s7.11 plans are for areas with predictable development and high infrastructure cost. Where development is low or unpredictable, councils use a s7.12 levy instead: a flat percentage of development cost (typically up to 1%), with no nexus analysis required (per NSW Planning Portal, Selecting the contribution mechanism, verified 2026-05-09).

The section was renumbered from s94 to s7.11 by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Act 2017, effective 1 March 2018. Older plans and council forms still use “s94”; both labels are legally equivalent (per NSW Department of Planning, New Act sections guide, verified 2026-05-09).

Also known as: s94 contributions, section 94 contributions, developer contributions, local infrastructure contributions.

Category: Approvals & certification.

See also

Last updated: 2026-05-09. Verified: 2026-05-09. Quarterly review for currency.